Sports / Soccer
Tsholotsho skipper bullish ahead of Highlanders clash
22 Apr 2016 at 07:57hrs | Views
TSHOLOTSHO FC are confident of registering their first Premier Soccer League win over Bulawayo giants Highlanders when they face-off at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
William Stima, Tsholotsho's captain, yesterday stoked the flames saying there is nothing special about Highlanders. The Naughty Boys, as Tsholotsho are affectionately known, will be facing Highlanders for the third time since gaining promotion into the topflight and have lost all previous encounters.
Stima is confident of upsetting Highlanders and their fans. "To us, playing Highlanders is just like playing any PSL club. We don't have pressure at all and the only thing we want is to get maximum points. Our sights are on winning the game, something which we're confident of doing," said Stima.
Tsholotsho go into the game oozing with confidence following their 1-0 win over Bulawayo City in their last league match. On the other end, Bosso lost 1-2 to FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium and will want to bounce back to winning ways.
Stima will marshal Tsholotsho's back line, partnering Thandolwenkosi Ncube in central defence, while MacClive Phiri and Nkosilathi Moyo will play as wingbacks. It is in midfield where the battle will be won and lost.
Tsholotsho's midfield unit is likely to be made up of defensive midfielder Butholezwe Ncube, Ocient Ncube, Kriess Chitiyo, Simbarashe Gorogodyo and veteran Joel Luphahla. Lynnoth Chikuhwa will play as a lone striker, getting support from Luphahla and Gorogodyo when attacking.
"It doesn't matter where the goal will come from, but what I know is that we're going to score and defend that goal," said Stima. Highlanders captain Felix Chindungwe said they were ready for Tsholotsho.
"Having lost our last league match to FC Platinum and Chicken Inn in the final of the Independence Cup, it's important that we rectify our mistakes. Everyone's geared up for the game and what we want is to get back to winning ways so that we achieve our targets," said Chindungwe.
The dreadlocked defender said they were aiming at finishing in the top three, with the championship being a bonus. "We were out of the top four last season and if we make it into the top three that will be super. We aren't putting ourselves under pressure, but if we see that the championship is within reach we'll go for it. That's why we're saying it's important to win the game against Tsholotsho so that we stay with the title chasing pack. We know Tsholotsho will come at us, but we're ready," said Chindungwe.
Highlanders are seventh after two games, three points behind table toppers and defending champions Chicken Inn, who have six points. Following their 3-0 win over Hwange in the first league match, Highlanders gave their fans hope that maybe 2016 could be their year, only to go down 1-2 at home against FC Platinum in their second match.
They will not have it easy against a Tsholotsho side which will be eager to collect as many points as possible in the first half of the season so that they stay far away from relegation zone. Bosso's let down has been their strikers, with their coach Erol Akbay raising his concerns over his forwards' impotency.
2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Top Goal Scorer Knox Mutizwa, veteran Ralph Matema as well as youngster Prince Dube will be expected to lead Highlanders' strike force on Sunday.
Bruce Kangwa, who has been pushed from defence to midfield, King Nadolo, Simon Munawa, Rahman Kutsanzira and young Adrian Silla are the midfielders expected to provide scoring opportunities to their forwards.
Three other matches are lined up for tomorrow. ZPC Kariba will play host to Bulawayo City at Nyamhunga Stadium, while FC Platinum are at home to Chapungu, with champions Chicken Inn involved in a Bulawayo derby against How Mine.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v How Mine (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Bulawayo City (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Chapungu (Mandava)
Sunday: Triangle United v Border Strikers (Gibbo), Tsholotsho FC v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Caps United v Harare City (National Sports Stadium), Mutare City Rovers v Dynamos (Sakubva), Hwange v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Colliery)
William Stima, Tsholotsho's captain, yesterday stoked the flames saying there is nothing special about Highlanders. The Naughty Boys, as Tsholotsho are affectionately known, will be facing Highlanders for the third time since gaining promotion into the topflight and have lost all previous encounters.
Stima is confident of upsetting Highlanders and their fans. "To us, playing Highlanders is just like playing any PSL club. We don't have pressure at all and the only thing we want is to get maximum points. Our sights are on winning the game, something which we're confident of doing," said Stima.
Tsholotsho go into the game oozing with confidence following their 1-0 win over Bulawayo City in their last league match. On the other end, Bosso lost 1-2 to FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium and will want to bounce back to winning ways.
Stima will marshal Tsholotsho's back line, partnering Thandolwenkosi Ncube in central defence, while MacClive Phiri and Nkosilathi Moyo will play as wingbacks. It is in midfield where the battle will be won and lost.
Tsholotsho's midfield unit is likely to be made up of defensive midfielder Butholezwe Ncube, Ocient Ncube, Kriess Chitiyo, Simbarashe Gorogodyo and veteran Joel Luphahla. Lynnoth Chikuhwa will play as a lone striker, getting support from Luphahla and Gorogodyo when attacking.
"It doesn't matter where the goal will come from, but what I know is that we're going to score and defend that goal," said Stima. Highlanders captain Felix Chindungwe said they were ready for Tsholotsho.
"Having lost our last league match to FC Platinum and Chicken Inn in the final of the Independence Cup, it's important that we rectify our mistakes. Everyone's geared up for the game and what we want is to get back to winning ways so that we achieve our targets," said Chindungwe.
Highlanders are seventh after two games, three points behind table toppers and defending champions Chicken Inn, who have six points. Following their 3-0 win over Hwange in the first league match, Highlanders gave their fans hope that maybe 2016 could be their year, only to go down 1-2 at home against FC Platinum in their second match.
They will not have it easy against a Tsholotsho side which will be eager to collect as many points as possible in the first half of the season so that they stay far away from relegation zone. Bosso's let down has been their strikers, with their coach Erol Akbay raising his concerns over his forwards' impotency.
2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Top Goal Scorer Knox Mutizwa, veteran Ralph Matema as well as youngster Prince Dube will be expected to lead Highlanders' strike force on Sunday.
Bruce Kangwa, who has been pushed from defence to midfield, King Nadolo, Simon Munawa, Rahman Kutsanzira and young Adrian Silla are the midfielders expected to provide scoring opportunities to their forwards.
Three other matches are lined up for tomorrow. ZPC Kariba will play host to Bulawayo City at Nyamhunga Stadium, while FC Platinum are at home to Chapungu, with champions Chicken Inn involved in a Bulawayo derby against How Mine.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v How Mine (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Bulawayo City (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Chapungu (Mandava)
Sunday: Triangle United v Border Strikers (Gibbo), Tsholotsho FC v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Caps United v Harare City (National Sports Stadium), Mutare City Rovers v Dynamos (Sakubva), Hwange v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Colliery)
Source - chronicle
