TSHOLOTSHO are hoping to get their fourth win in their maiden Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign to leap out of their precarious position on the log standings when they clash with ZPC Kariba inside seven days at White City Stadium today.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
Veteran striker Joel Luphahla struck in the sixth minute at Nyamhunga Stadium last Saturday to give Tsholotsho their third win but the Lizwe Sweswe-coached side still wallows in the murky waters of relegation and should fare better in the second half of the season if they nurse hopes of another dance in the PSL next year.
Tsholotsho are on position 13 on the log table with a meagre 14 points from 15 games with three wins, five draws and seven defeats.
The former Zimbabwe international, Highlanders and Caps United player Luphahla says his aim is to make sure Tsholotsho survives the chop before hanging his boots once again as he returned to action last week after five years.
“I was just lucky last week. From that result it looked like we had an easy win, but we fought hard for that victory. It was a tough match. This is what we want to try again on Friday (today). If Tsholotsho survives I will be very happy,” Luphahla said.
Another veteran Danisa Phiri played in that game while Siza Khoza, who has also been registered by Tsholotsho pulled a muscle at training, but is hopeful of making it today.
“I pulled a muscle and did not play last week but maybe I will be part of the team on Friday (today) if I am fit,” Khoza said.
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Other players in the Tsholotsho camp are Young Warriors’ Gerald Takwara, Ericko Phiri, Lynoth Chikuhwa, Kudzanai Machazane, Tafadzwa Jaravani and captain William Stima.
ZPC Kariba head coach Sunday Chidzambwa, whose first two matches since making a return have not been favourable, losing to Triangle and Tsholotsho, says he is hopeful the second half of the season will yield better results for the power utility side.
“I think we have been playing well in the last two matches and creating numerous chances but not burying them. We are working on our mistakes. For the past two days we have prepared hard and well and we have our last session today (yesterday). I think we have prepared enough and hoping for a good result tomorrow (today),” Chidzambwa said.
Chidzambwa said morale is high in camp and only Ghanaian defender Sylvester Appiah is out injured after receiving a knock last Saturday.
Also missing in action is 2014 Soccer Star of the Year Dennis Dauda, who is on trials with Polokwane City in South Africa. ZPC Kariba last won on May 16 beating Whawha 2-1 at Ascot and they are also not safe with 15 points and perching on position 11. Fixtures
Today: Tsholotsho v ZPC Kariba (White City SS9)
Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Caps United (Luveve SS9), Harare City v Flame Lily (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Chapungu (Mandava)
Sunday: Whawha v Dongo Sawmill (Ascot), Dynamos v Hwange (Rufaro), Triangle v Highlanders (Gibbo), How Mine v Buffaloes (Luveve SS9)
