The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
CASTLE Lager Premiership log leaders, Manica Diamonds’ ability to stay at the helm of the top-flight league log standings will come under severe scrutiny when they entertain Harare giants, CAPS United at Sakubva Stadium on Sunday.
The match starts at 3pm.
The Gem Boys, as Manica Boys are fondly referred to, are tied on nine points with Chicken Inn, but the Mutare diamond miners are on top thanks to a superior goal difference.
This leaves the Gamecocks with a chance of dislodging Manica Diamonds from the summit of the table should they win their match against Dynamos away in Harare on Sunday.
Ngezi Platinum also have a chance to end up at the summit of the log table after this weekend’s round of league matches in the event that they beat Yadah Stars, while Manica Diamonds and Chicken Inn fail to collect maximum points.
The Gem Boys coach, Johanisi Nhumwa reckons that his team needs to win the encounter against CAPS United at all costs.
“We really need to win this match at all costs. It is a must win for us given that we want to stay on top of the log table.
We are aware that it will not be any easy task.
“CAPS United are a big brand in Zimbabwean football and we all know that. They have drawn in all the matches they have played so far, therefore chances are that they want to turn the corner and start winning.
“We just have to be at our all time best. We have been preparing for this encounter just like all the other matches we have played so far. We always prepare to win as no one goes for a battle aiming for a defeat,” said Nhumwa.
He blamed his team’s loss to Herentals College last Sunday to poor defending.
“I think we lost the match against Herentals unnecessarily. It was all because of defensive blunders. We have also been working on that during training and we hope we will be able to make amends and do the right thing come Sunday,” he said.
The Harare giants, CAPS United will be back again in the eastern border City of Mutare for the second time this year after playing against Black Rhinos at the same venue a fortnight ago.
Coming into MatchDay Five, CAPS United have ended all their four matches in stalemates. CAPS United have played against Ngezi Platinum, ZPC Kariba, Harare City and Black Rhinos.
Elsewhere, Mutare-based correctional services outfit, Tenax FC who are still basking in the glory of the season’s maiden victory after beating hapless Bulawayo City two-nil at Sakubva Stadium last Sunday, will date Bulawayo Chiefs away at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo tomorrow (Saturday), while Black Rhinos will be at Sakubva Stadium to play against Triangle tomorrow.
Castle Lager Premier League MatchDay Fived fixtures:
Saturday:
Bulawayo Chiefs v Tenax (Luveve Stadium): ZPC Kariba v FC Platinum (Nyamhunga Stadium): Harare City v Cranborne Bullets (National Sports Stadium): Black Rhinos v Triangle (Sakubva Stadium): Ngezi Platinum v Yadah Stars (Baobab Stadium):
Sunday:
Manica Diamonds v CAPS United (Sakubva Stadium): WhaWha v Herentals (Ascot Stadium): Bulawayo City v Highlanders (Barbourfields Stadium): Dynamos v Chicken Inn (National Sports Stadium).
