Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
ZIFA Central Soccer League (CSL) dark horses Ivan Hoe are eager to stop Shabanie Mine in its tracks when the two sides clash at Amaveni Stadium in a league fixture this afternoon.
Shabanie Mine have opened a three point lead at the summit of the log standings after winning all the six matches they have played so far during the second half of the season.
The asbestos miners are on 47 points, three ahead of Blanket Mine while their adversaries this afternoon are nine points behind having managed 38 points. Ivan Hoe however, have a game in hand after their initial midweek fixture against readmitted ZRP Beitbridge was rescheduled to a later date.
What makes today’s match intriguing is that both sides have been the most consistent teams in the second half of the season with the hosts having dropped only two points from the five matches they have played so far.
Ivan Hoe failed to collect maximum points when they drew one all against hoteliers Nichrut at home.
Former Lancashire Steel defensive midfielder Isaac Nyabvure, who is now in charge of Ivan Hoe, said they are ready for the Chinda Boys adding that they would want to avenge the 0-1 loss they suffered at the hands of the asbestos miners at Maglas Stadium in the reverse fixture.
He said: “We know it is going to be a tough match but we are ready for them. We are also unbeaten and we want to maintain our fine run and the only way to cap it is to beat the log leaders. This is also a revenge mission,” he said.
His counterpart, Tendai Chikuni, was cautious ahead of the match saying he is “taking each game as it comes.”
Fixtures
Today: Kwekwe Sables vs Jessie Mine (Mbizo),
MSU vs ZRP Beitbridge (MSU), ZPC Munyati vs ZRP Gwanda (Munyati), Ivan Hoe vs Shabanie Mine (Amaveni)
Tomorrow: Gweru United vs Whawha (Wilson Fields), Chrome Stars vs Tongogara (Chrome), Nichrut vs FC Platinum U19 (Peak Mine), Blanket Mine vs Vumbachikwe