The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
CASTLE Lager Premiership log leaders, Manica Diamonds are in for a test of consistency when they entertain Herentals Football Club at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Sunday where the Gem Boys are expected to unveil their new acquisitions.
Coach, Johanisi ‘Dutch Mentor’ Nhumwa will have more options coming into the match against The Students after the club recently roped in Nyasha Chintuli (from Ngezi Platinum), Liberty Chakoroma (Pretoria Callies), Farai Mugumwa (from Tenax FC) and Collins Dhuwa (from Triangle).
Nhumwa said: “We will have all our new players up for selection for Sunday’s match against Herentals.
There are high chances that we will have them on the field of play on Sunday even though I cannot actually disclose who exactly will be playing in what position. Just like players we have always had, the new ones will also have to fight for a place in the team.”
However, among the new signings, only Chintuli will have to pass a late fitness test after sustaining a minor injury during training this week.
“Nyasha Chintuli will have to pass a late fitness test and the doctors will inform us on whether he will be able to play well if given the chance on Sunday. He got a slight knock during training and he has been doing light training. All the other new players are raring to go,” said the former Masvingo United gaffer.
Nhumwa reckoned that they are not under any pressure because they are on top of the log table.
“We are fully aware of the stakes in this game, but that will not put us under any pressure. We have been preparing for it just like any other game we have played so far and as usual, our hopes and prayers are to collect maximum points,” said Nhumwa.
Elsewhere in the top-flight league, Mutare-based correctional services side, Tenax FC will be chasing their first set of maximum points when they host equally struggling Bulawayo City at Sakubva Stadium on Sunday.
The battle of basement teams comes at a time when both Tenax FC and Bulawayo City have only managed one draw and suffered two defeats in the previous three league matches.
Bulawayo City are only second from bottom because of a slightly superior goal difference compared to Tenax FC.
Fixtures:
Saturday: FC Platinum v Dynamos (Mandava Stadium); Chicken Inn v Bulawayo Chiefs (Luveve Stadium); Yadah Stars v Black Rhinos (Baobab Stadium)
Sunday: Highlanders v Hwahwa FC (Barbourfields Stadium); Herentals College v Manica Diamonds (National Sports Stadium); Cranborne Bullets v ZPC Kariba (Baobab Stadium); Tenax FC v Bulawayo City (Sakubva Stadium); Triangle v Harare City (Gibbo Stadium)
Monday:
CAPS United v Ngezi Platinum (National Sports Stadium).
