Ndiraya respects City Rovers

24 Aug, 2018 - 00:08 0 Views
Ndiraya respects City Rovers

The ManicaPost

Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent

ALTHOUGH his side is flying high in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, Ngezi Platinum FC coach Tonderai Ndiraya says he is not underestimating Mutare City Rovers despite Gusha Bhora’s current poor run.

Gusha Bhora will host the platinum rich side at Vengere Stadium in Rusape on Sunday.

The match will kick off at 3pm.

Ngezi has been picking up points making sure that they keep up with the title chasing group of FC Platinum, Chicken Inn, Caps United and Highlanders.

To show that Ndiraya means serious business, his charges came out guns blazing when they massacred Shabanie Mine FC 5-1 in a mid-week fixture on Wednesday.

The result saw the platinum miners reducing the gap between them and the log leaders FC Platinum.

Ngezi Platinum has amassed 51 points from 23 games, just a single point from the log leaders.

Chicken Inn is on third position with 41 points. Caps United are on fourth position with 36 points and Highlanders are on fifth position with same number of points.

Ndiraya said he is fully aware of the threat the Mutare side could pose.

“We certainly don’t take City Rovers lightly. They are actually a good side. We are expecting a tough match against Mutare City Rovers.

“We have a lot of respect for them despite the negative results that they have been getting.

“It has been unfortunate that Rovers have been dropping points. When we hosted them, we won 2-1 but they gave us a good run.

“We forced a win after it nearly ended 1-1. We are working very hard ahead of our clash,” he said.

Ndiraya also made it clear that he is going for the title.

“Last year, my target was a top four finish and I managed to achieve that. This season we are not leaving any stone unturned and we are gunning for championship.

“We did well last season but we did not manage to cross the finishing line. We have managed to narrow the gap between us and the log leaders.

“We hope to continue with our purple patch and we also want to keep pressurising the log leaders,” he said

City Rovers interim coach Ndega Matsika admitted that facing the log leaders will be a mammoth task.

Matsika is aware of the quality at Ngezi but he remains hopeful.

Ndega has a mammoth task in his hands to redeem Gusha Bhora from the relegation mire.

He said he is aware of the tricky encounter.

“I am very aware that we are going to face one of the big teams. It is not going to be easy for us as a team.

“We are in a tough situation a as a team where we are fighting relegation. All I want is to get out of trouble and be at a better position.

“We are looking for positive results and we want to improve our performance from the mid week fixture where we lost to Bulawayo Chiefs 3-2. I will be hoping for a better show from the boys,” said Matsika.

Mutare City Rovers who managed to beat equally struggling Shabanie Mine FC last weekend have been experiencing a tough season after a string of poor results.

The poor run left Gusha Bhora 15th on the log tables with 15 points.

 

Share This:

Sponsored Links

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds