Bulawayo City wary of Ngezi Platinum

BULAWAYO City coach Philani Ncube had a frank talk with his players, challenging them to shape up or risk being midseason transfer window casualties following a string of draws.

City take on Ngezi Platinum today and players selected for this afternoon's match at Barbourfields Stadium have been asked to maintain maximum concentration and come up with maximum points.

City have the most league draws, five and sit on position 10 tied on eight points with Harare City, Ngezi Platinum and Dynamos.

Ncube feels they are giving away easy points at home, something which he attributes to lack of concentration after last week's 1-1 draw against Chapungu. In that match, they gave up their lead through a soft goal minutes after surging ahead.

"Sometimes you have to show tough love because at the end of the day as a coach you do everything and the players do something else. It gets frustrating when things don't go according to the way you planned. If I look back, some of the points that we've dropped have been soft and that is why I had a lengthy chat with my boys and was frank with them that we can't continue losing points, especially at home," Ncube.

"They have to know that if you repeatedly fail to perform there are consequences, and who knows, they might be out in July. The essence of the talk was to motivate them so that they work harder and give us results," said Ncube.

He is wary of his opponents whom he described as unpredictable.

Ngezi are coming from a 1-1 draw with Chapungu and could fancy their chances against City.

"They're new just like us and will certainly give us a run for our money. We are also ready for them and I'm sure it will be a good game," said Ncube.

City will pin their hopes on young Lewis Ncube, who has been transformed from a rightback to a winger and at the weekend he scored a spectacular equaliser from a freekick against Triangle.

Lewis' work rate in the midfield has been impressive and the future really looks bright for him. If he maintains his form, he will certainly be among top contenders for Rookie of the Year accolade.

What could also be making Lewis, a former Highlanders junior shine could be that he plays around seasoned players who include captain Xolisani Moyo, striker Mkhokheli Dube, midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa, defenders Brighton Dube, Nyasha Mukumbi and Zibusiso Sibanda.

Ngezi Platinum also have a couple of players with PSL experience who include defender Liberty Chakoroma, Knowledge Machona, Washington Pakamisa, Zivanai Mhanda and Blessing Mwandimutsira.

While City and Ngezi will be battling it out at Barbourfields, ZPC Kariba will be at home to Hwange at Nyamhunga with Border Strikers seeking their first win against Tsholotsho FC at Maglas while Triangle face Mutare at Gibbo.

Tomorrow, How Mine entertain table toppers FC Platinum at Luveve.

Today: Bulawayo City v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Barbourfields), ZPC Kariba v Hwange (Nyamhunga), Border Strikers v Tsholotsho FC  (Maglas), Chicken Inn v Caps United (Luveve), Triangle United v Mutare City Rovers (Gibbo)

Tomorrow: How Mine v FC Platinum (Luveve)

Friday: Harare City v Chapungu (Rufaro, SuperSport, 3PM)

Saturday: Dynamos v Highlanders (Rufaro, SuperSport, 3PM