The Sunday Mail
HARARE CITY wasted no time in confirming that they will plunge back into the African Safari after winning the Chibuku Super Cup last weekend.
However, the Sunshine Boys are a long way from confirming their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League status and chances are high that the team will next year play in the Caf Confederations Cup as a Division One outfit.
And the battle for survival takes an intriguing turn for Harare City this afternoon as they visit an equally troubled Hwange at the Colliery.
Chipangano are under the guidance of former Sunshine Boys mentor Bigboy Mawiwi.
Harare City coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube remains optimistic of his side’s chances of surviving relegation but is quick to highlight that his players now need to step up and take responsibility.
The Sunshine Boys had short-lived Chibuku Super Cup celebrations as they went on to suffer a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Black Rhinos in a midweek fixture.
Ncube, although happy to have won a major cup for his employers, does not need reminding what surviving relegation would mean to Harare City.
“When I came here my task was to rescue the team from relegation and I am still optimistic and certain that Harare City will survive. However, I am not if I will survive myself,” he said.
“I am having butterflies in my stomach ahead of the trip to Hwange but the job has to be done and it’s not going to be an easy game for us.
“Our players need to realise that this game is a matter of life and death hence there is need for them to give it their all. This is the time for them to stand up and be counted.”
Ncube has also challenged his players to pick positives from the midweek defeat to Rhinos.
“It was a result we did not expect but sometimes we have to draw positives from defeats and the positive we got from that match is that it can be done away from home.
“If we lost at home then what can stop us from winning away? We need to be focused,” he said.
Fixtures
How Mine v Shabanie (Luveve 1pm) ,
Chicken Inn v Chapungu (Luveve 3PM),
Caps United v Bulawayo City (NSS),
Yadah v Highlanders (Rufaro),
Black Rhinos v ZPC Kariba (Morris Depot),
Triangle v Tsholotsho (Gibbo),
Hwange v Harare City (Colliery)
