NGEZI Platinum Stars coach Tonderai Ndiraya has provided two reasons why the Caps United family, in their preparations to celebrate a likely Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship-winning feat, should also brace themselves for disappointment, particularly this Sunday.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Ndiraya has dismissed the notion that his team has got nothing to play for since they are neither a participant in the relegation scrap nor do they have an interest in the championship matrix.
After winning the Chibuku Super Cup two weeks ago, the top-flight league debutants have two more targets to achieve.
A place in the top-four and Caps United’s proud unbeaten record at the National Sports Stadium remain top priorities for the platinum miners.
The two teams clash in what is potentially an explosive league tie at the giant stadium, as the league run reaches an exciting climax.
The Green Machine are on the brink of their fifth league title and currently enjoy a two-point cushion over their nearest rivals FC Platinum, who face third-placed Highlanders on Sunday also.
The Harare giants hold a proud unbeaten record in the league at the National Sports Stadium, which they have virtually turned into a fortress since September last year when Lloyd Chitembwe took over the managerial reins.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Ndiraya yesterday said there were a number of motivating factors for his side, as they approach this match.
“It’s a meeting of two teams in top form — the team that has won the Chibuku Super Cup and the log leaders. It will be a very exciting match,” he said.
“We have a number of motivating factors ahead of this match. Caps United have not been beaten at home and the boys are eager to break that record.
“You should also remember that initially, we had set a target of surviving relegation, which we have achieved. Now we have revised our target. We now want to finish in the top-eight. The management has demanded that from us. So our next two matches, including the Sunday one against Caps United, are very crucial for us to achieve our target. There are very few points that separate us from the teams that are below us, so we need to win the remaining two matches to achieve the set target.”
Ngezi FC Platinum are in eighth position on the league table with 38 points, the same as Harare City, who lie seventh.
Bulawayo City also have 38 points, but are in ninth position because of an inferior goal difference.
Hwange, Triangle and How Mine, who all have 35 points each, will also be looking to finish in the top-eight.
The former Dynamos coach, who has turned around Ngezi Platinum since he assumed duty, guiding the team to Chibuku Super Cup success, however, acknowledged it would be tough against the Green Machine.
“Obviously, this is not going to be easy. Caps United are a big brand while ours is still growing. But we are going to give it our best,” Ndiraya said.
Ngezi Platinum will be without James Marufu, who is out for the rest of the season due to injury.
Goalkeeper Chris Mverechena, who is on loan from Caps United, has also been ruled of the Sunday clash with a knee injury.
Caps United have so far won nine matches at home and drawn four.
The one against Hwange at Rufaro Stadium also ended in a stalemate.
They enjoy an eight-match unbeaten run, with their last league loss coming on August 21 — in a 3-1 defeat to Bulawayo City.
The Harare giants sit at the top of the table with 57 points, two ahead of FC Platinum and four better than Highlanders, who visit Norman Mapeza’s team at Mandava Stadium.
Should Caps United win against Ngezi and Highlanders fail to beat FC Platinum, the Green Machine will be crowned champions with a game to spare.
Caps United, though, will be missing skipper Moses Muchenje through suspension for accumulating three yellow cards in previous matches.
The Harare giants are, however, not new to such a situation, having missed several key players in previous matches and still getting the job done.
Chitembwe said although he would miss his captain, whom he said had contributed so much for the club from day one, he was relieved that for the first time, they were missing only one player.
