The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
LUKE ‘Vahombe’ Masomere will be out in search of the first set of maximum points when Manica Diamonds lock horns with Harare City at Gibo Stadium in Triangle on Sunday.
It will be a battle of wounded lions after both Gem Boys and Harare City lost their encounters in the 2019 Castle Lager Premiership opening round of matches.
Manica Diamonds were on the receiving end at the National Sports Stadium in Harare against CAPS United while the Sunshine Boys lost to champions FC Platinum.
They both lost by an identical 2-0 margin.
The match against Harare City is the first ‘home match’ for Manica Diamonds that the ZCDC-bankrolled outfit will contend with playing away from home at Gibo given the long dragging renovations at Sakubva Stadium.
After last weekend’s rude awakening in Harare, Masomere is aware of the need to start collecting maximum points to ensure the club retains the Premiership slot.
“I think this is a must win encounter for us.
“We really need to start collecting points and ensure that we compete favourably towards the end of the season.
“It will not be a stroll in the park given that Harare City would also be going for their first set of maximum points. We have to win at all cost and we believe last weekend’s match gave us lessons that will make us emerge even stronger. My boys are well psyched for the match and I am happy with the morale in the camp,” he said.
In Sunday’s match against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium, it was evident the Gem Boys were victims of stage fright, particularly in defence and in the midfield where Wisdom Mutasa and Tendai Mukono struggled to gel making it easier for Caps United to drill past a porous backline.
The introduction of Marshall Mudehwe and Ishmael Lawe in the 53rd minute raised the tempo of the game for the visitors and their sporadic attacks caused anxious moments for CAPS United who became jittery in the last minutes of the match.
With a little bit of luck Manica Diamonds could have found a consolation goal or even leveled terms with their hosts as CAPS United went to sleep after the breather.
The decision to play at Gibo Stadium appears to be the most prudent for Manica Diamonds given that they will return to the same venue next weekend when they date high riding Triangle FC.
The Mutare outfit is still awaiting PSL decision on Vengere Stadium after the Rusape local authority moved with haste to renovate their sports facility to meet the required minimum standards.
