The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
THERE will be a lot at stake when Harare hockey men’s league log leaders, Hippo, take on PBP Hounds in a derby match set for St John’s College Sunday.
The two sides will be seeking to maintain their unbeaten run in the league.
Hippo sit at the summit of the log table with 15 points from five matches while PBP Hounds have won once and drawn once in two matches and currently sit on sixth position.
Despite being the dominant team in the league, Hippo captain Esau Mufandaedza says a clash against PBP Hound is more than a league match but there are bragging rights at stake.
“PBP hounds is one of our biggest rivals in Zimbabwe, last year we drew with them in the HAZ Cup hence this match is going to prove a lot to the winners.
“We are fighting to prove that we are the best team in Zimbabwe and PBP Hounds is fighting for the same, this is one match where there is a lot to lose and a lot to gain,” said Esau.
His counterpart, Blessing Mushonga, believes that the team that will prevail as winners in the derby clash stand a good chance of being crowned league champions at the end of the season.
“Arguably these are the top two teams in the country clashing, hence it is going to be a top notch match, pound-for-pound game.
“I believe the winner in this match stands a good chance of winning the league title,” said the PBP Hounds skipper.
In the women’s league, there is another exciting match on the cards as log leaders Scorpions clash with third-placed Geese.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is expected to host the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for Central and Southern Africa at the end of August.
