The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
IT has been a tale of contrasting fortunes for the Premier Soccer League’s two army sides.
While the switch to Sakubva might have paid dividends for Black Rhinos, who lost once at the Mutare venue before migrating to Rusape, it has not been the same for fellow Harare army outfit Cranborne Bullets.
Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera’s league debutants are winless in their last five matches and sit on 16th on the table with as many points.
Cranborne Bullets and CAPS United were the only teams without a win in the last five rounds of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after the completion of Round 18 fixtures.
Bullets have conceded 12 goals in their last five, including a 5-2 drubbing by Triangle at Gibbo Stadium, and their coach has chosen to blame it on fatigue.
He feels they have been undone by having to “play home away from home every week”.
The travelling that comes with using Sakubva has become taxing for Bullets, who are now pushing for a switch to Morris Depot in Harare.
Saruchera and his men are on the road once again, as they play stubborn Bulawayo Chiefs at Luveve Stadium this afternoon.
“Travelling is really affecting our performances as a newly-promoted team. We should be calling Mutare our home but it’s a bit too far.
“Literally, we have played all our games away from home,” he said.
His soldiers have failed to register a point since May 1 when they upstaged equally struggling CAPS United 2-0 at the National Sports Stadium.
They played a troubled Makepekepe whose players staged an industrial action that almost forced the abandonment of the tie.
Bullets’ defence, which is led by former Kaizer Chiefs player Lincoln Zvasiya, has been leaky just as the attack, which has the likes of Brian Muzondiwa and Jarrison Selemani, has been impotent.
The army side have scored three goals in 450 minutes of action, a rate of 0.6 goals per match.
They, however, boast some good players who include left-back Moreblessing Mushangwe, the versatile Wonder Kapinda and bustling striker Everson Feremba.
But things have been falling apart.
And Saruchera is now looking forward to the July transfer window with a view of bringing in fresh blood.
“Obviously we will add some new players. We need a striker.
“We just pray that soon we can be able to use Morris Depot as our new home ground. We need to have real home advantage.
“Fatigue is now catching up on us as we are almost away every week.”
Cranborne Bullets are third from bottom and face an inspired Bulawayo Chiefs who are fresh from a dramatic draw against Triangle at Gibbo Stadium last Sunday.
Nilton Terroso’s charges needed a last-gasp Elvis Moyo goal to salvage a 2-2 draw to remain unbeaten in nine matches.
Flamboyant Chiefs have registered four wins and five draws in their last nine encounters.
They last tasted defeat on March 26 when they fell 2-1 to Rhinos at Sakubva.
Portuguese gaffer Terroso is slowly building a team that is fast becoming a difficult proposition for rivals.
As a sports scientist, he emphasises more on endurance and believes his charges are now adjusting to his philosophy.
Amakhosi have some experienced players within their ranks such as former FC Platinum star Perfect Chikwende, Obriel Chirinda, Kelvin Madzongwe and the Moyo twins Elvis and Kevin.
Fixtures
Ngezi Platinum Stars v Highlanders (Baobab; ZTN Prime), Dynamos v Triangle (NSS), Bulawayo Chiefs v Cranborne Bullets (Luveve), Manica Diamonds v Bulawayo City (Sakubva), Whawha vs Tenax (Ascot)
