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Wilbert Sibanda

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
DEFENDING champions Caps United make their second trip to Bulawayo in a week tomorrow aiming to bounce back to winning ways when they face Premiership table anchors Bantu Rovers at Hartsfield Ground .

Caps United have gone for three games without a win — drawing 0-0 against Chapungu, losing the Harare blockbuster against Dynamos 2-0. On Wednesday they had to come from a goal down to force a 1-1 draw with Bulawayo City at Hartsfield.

The Green Machine last won on August 23 when they edged Black Rhinos 2-1.

The champions’ lukewarm performances have forced Rovers to maintain the standard PSL gate charges of $3 for the rest of the ground, $5 for the VIP wings and $10 for VIP.

Rovers general manager Wilbert Sibanda said despite his side languishing at the bottom of the table, they are going to give fans who will attend tomorrow’s game a good show.

“Bantu Rovers’ main objective is to give youngsters an opportunity to shine and get Premiership experience. We’re doing so and that is why we remain a club of choice for youngsters. Obviously we are in the league to compete but that should be complemented by development of young talent.  On Sunday we play Caps United and we’ve decided against hiking gate charges to allow many fans to come for the game.

“Looking from our previous league games, we play well and facing champions obviously lifts our boys’ spirits. Fans who will come for the game are guaranteed some exciting football,” said Sibanda.

A fortnight ago in their 1-3 loss to How Mine, Rovers fielded the youngest player in the Premiership 15-year-old midfielder Sibusiso Moyo.

They also have the youngest captain in the league Kudzi Dzingwe (18) who took over from Bukhosi Sibanda who left the club in July to join South Africa’s Ubuntu Cape Town FC.

Some of the youngsters that have been frequently starring for Rovers include 18-year-old quartet of Shadreck Nyahwa, Brighton Ncube, Nyasha Garayi and Alex Chikwira.

They also have Gladman Bharibhari, McCarthy Dube, Munyaradzi Chitambwe and Mbonisi Ncube who are Under-20 players.

Seasoned players expected to guide the youthful Rovers side tomorrow include Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Lindelani Ncube, Dumisani Sibanda and Pride Zivengwa.

Caps United will look to striker John Zhuwawo, returning forward Dominic Chungwa, seasoned midfielders Devon Chafa and Tafadzwa Rusike as well as defender Stephen Makatuka in their fight for maximum points. — @ZililoR