TSHOLOTSHO Football Club coach Lizwe Sweswe believes his charges will rise to the occasion and beat visiting Harare City in their final Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at White City Stadium this afternoon to safeguard their top-flight status.
BY SAKHELENI NXUMALO/HENRY MHARA
All the other sides that were promoted into the top-flight at the beginning of the year have been relegated, but Sweswe is confident that his side can be the exception.
An outright win for Tsholotsho would take their points tally to 33 points and condemn Buffaloes to the First Division, even if the Mutare-based side win against deposed champions Dynamos.
“We have our destiny in our own hands and we have done all the groundwork to ensure our survival. At this stage, the boys have belief and confidence in their abilities because we have fared relatively well in our maiden season. We have to go all out in search of maximum points because we need nothing short of victory to ensure survival,” Sweswe said.
Iziqholo ZeZhwane’s cause has been made difficult by the absence of the first-choice central defence partnership of Thando Ncube and team captain William Stima, both suspended after accumulating three yellow cards.
In their absence, utility player Spar Dube will partner Donald Dzvinyai in the heart of the Tsholotsho defence.
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The duo has not seen much action this year and will have to be at their best to deal with the attacking threat posed by Harare City, who will go into the match looking to fulfil their season objective of a top-six finish.
The Taurai Mangwiro-coached side are currently seventh on the log with 38 points, the same number of points with three other clubs, including Highlanders, who occupy sixth position due to a superior goal difference.
To reach their target, City, who survived relegation on the last day of the season last year, will need to win and hope that results elsewhere go in their favour.
The reverse fixture ended in Tsholotsho’s favour and Mangwiro said his team would go for revenge.
“This is a chance to atone for the loss. The most interesting part is us facing them at a time a loss for them and a win for Buffaloes would see them go down the drain. Our position in the top eight is under threat and we would want to be part of top eight competitions next year. So, it’s important that we win the match to finish in that bracket.”
City will travel without the suspended Takudzwa Chimwemwe while Crispen Dickson, Francesco Zekumbawira and Arnold Chivheya are all injured.
Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League has announced that all matches will be played today.
Initially, the matches between Highlanders and ZPC Kariba, and Hwange versus Triangle had been penned for tomorrow, but the two games have since been brought forward.
Week 30 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixtures
Today: Chapungu v How Mine (Ascot), Tsholotsho v Harare City (White City), Caps United v WhaWha (NSS), Flame Lily v Chicken Inn (Lafarge), Dongo Sawmill v FC Platinum (Vengere), Buffaloes v Dynamos (Sakubva), Hwange v Triangle (Colliery), Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Barbourfields)
