Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HWANGE-based Southern Region Division One side Technosphere are confident of becoming the second Premier Soccer League club from the mining town and believe their clash against Bulawayo Chiefs on Sunday will have a bearing on their campaign.
Chiefs are one of the championship favourites and are at the top of the league table with six points from their opening two games, and they will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten run against ambitious Technosphere at White City Stadium.
In their last league meeting in Bulawayo last year, Technosphere beat Chiefs 2-0 courtesy of goals from Vumani Moyo and Trust Nkomazana.
Technosphere assistant coach Mthenjwa Moyo said they were coming to Bulawayo for maximum points.
“We’re working towards winning the title and that means beating the best teams in the league. What we want on Sunday is a win and the boys are also eager for maximum points against Chiefs,” said Moyo.
Technosphere, who lost midfielder Sipho Nyoni to PSL side Bulawayo City and the trio of goalkeeper Kelvin Nyoni, central defenders Polite Moyo and Stanford Chavingira to Chiefs, will bank on ex-Hwange and Whawha player Oscar Lungu as well as former national team striker Simba Sithole to lead their push for maximum points.
They also have last season’s league joint top goal scorer Bekithemba Nyoni and Manyando Zulu to lead them against the former champions.
Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda is wary of Technosphere.
“I think this is a real test for us because Technosphere are a good side. We have to be cautious in our approach and the boys need to concentrate throughout the game. They beat us at home last season and I think if we are to be taken seriously in the title race, we need to show character against such strong opponents,” said Sibanda.
Chiefs have a number of experienced players who include midfielder Joseph Mutambiranwa, strikers Qinani Sibanda, Ashton Mhlanga and Kundishora Chakanyuka as well as goalkeeper Winston Chiwetu.
Central midfielder Mengezi Dube, whom Chiefs signed from Ntabazinduna at the beginning of the year, and right-back Trust Musindo, can make the difference for Chiefs.
Meanwhile, second-placed Black Boots will be hoping to keep within range of the table toppers when they take on Amagagasi at Fairbridge tomorrow, while Highlanders 90 will be home to ZRP Bulawayo at Barbourfields.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Ntabazinduna v ZRP Hwange (Ntabazinduna), Black Boots v Amagagasi (Fairbridge), Trumus v Makomo (postponed), Casmyn v Victoria Falls Tigers (Turk Mine), Bosso 90 v ZRP Bulawayo Province (Barbourfields Outside Ground 3, 12PM), Bantu Rovers v Quelaton (postponed), Hwange Under-20 v Talen Vision (Hwange), Indlovu Iyanyathela v ZPC Hwange (Brad Barracks)
Sunday: Bulawayo Chiefs v Technosphere (White City, 12PM)
**All matches start at 3PM, unless stated