JUST two matches into the 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) season and Buffaloes are already fearing for their lives.
BY sports reporter
A point from a possible six has left them at rock bottom of the log standings and are desperate to win their next encounter against last year’s runners-up ZPC Kariba at Gwanzura Stadium this afternoon.
A crashing 3-0 defeat to champions Dynamos in their season opener was followed up by a 1-1 draw at home to Triangle last weekend, and coach Joseph Takaringofa believes their last result shows signs of progress.
“It’s not about the result alone, but even the way the team played. I can see there is a lot of improvement by the team and the players are gaining in confidence,” said Takaringofa yesterday.
“The players’ work rate is improving, it’s actually amazing and I’m really happy with that. I just hope they keep on improving and we get our first maximum points tomorrow (today). I expect a tough match, but I’m confident that we can get something out of it. It’s still early days, but we need to start collecting maximum points and move away from the relegation zone,” he added.
Buffaloes would be facing their former coach Saul Chaminuka who led them to a sixth position finish in the 2012 season, their best finish in the league in recent years.
“It’s a good thing that we are playing him. We still have players here who worked under him and they have a lot to prove to him. I don’t need to motivate them because they are already motivated. I’m just hoping they would show up and give a good match,” Takaringofa said.
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When Buffaloes visited Gwanzura for this fixture last year, Limited Chikafa, Norest Mkwezvaramba and Moses Makanje’s goals secured a convincing 3-1 for the home side which ensures that the Mutare-based team travel to Harare with some nervousness.
ZPC Kariba has collected four points from their opening two matches. Not a bad start.
They beat Highlanders 2-0 in their opening match in Harare before their stunning comeback in Hwange last Sunday when they were staring a 3-1 defeat in the face with two minutes to go before recovering to force a 3-3 draw.
While pleased with the team’s start, Chaminuka think the long trip that his team are making are already beginning to take a toll on the players.
“We played in Harare and the next match we were in Hwange. From Hwange we went back home in Kariba and now we are on the way to Harare again, I think this is just too much for the players. We have played two matches but fatigue is already showing on the players,” said the current Coach of the year.
ZPC Kariba are using Harare venues for their matches since their Chaminuka Stadium in Kariba is yet to be certified for premier league matches. “We will have to remain strong because there is nothing much we can do about the situation. We are facing a team that is desperate for maximum points so we are obviously wary of them,” Chaminuka added. Both teams said there are no injury worries in their squad.
