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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sport Reporter
VETERAN coach Sunday Chidzambwa will be hoping to inspire his ZPC Kariba side to an away victory over How Mine in this afternoon’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Luveve Stadium.

Chidzambwa has been away from ZPC for a month on a tour of duty with the national team that won the Cosafa Castle Cup and were bundled out of the Chan qualifiers by Namibia.

In his absence, ZPC Kariba lost 0-1 to Triangle United, drew 1-1 with log leaders Black Rhinos and beat Hwange 1-0.

Chidzambwa knows that today’s encounter against How Mine will be tough and has implored his team to improve its away form. ZPC Kariba have only won two out of eight matches on the road.

Eighth-placed ZPC Kariba’s win on the road were identical 1-0 wins over Harare City and Hwange.

“It will not be an easy game as How Mine have been playing well away and at home. We need to get our act right if we are to beat them. My main worry is that we have not been performing well on the road, losing six games. Losing so many games is not a sign of a championship winning side, but we will try to work hard to improve on the road,” said Chidzambwa.

They lost to Triangle United, Chicken Inn, Dynamos, Ngezi Platinum Stars, Highlanders and Yadah Stars.

Morale should be high in the ZPC Kariba camp following their victory over Hwange at the Colliery Stadium in their last game before the league break.

ZPC Kariba sit on 27 points and trail leaders Rhinos by four points and a win will enable them to close the gap.

Chidzambwa could play returning striker Limited Chikafa, who was not registered for the first half of the season.

He can also look up to Raphael Manuvire, Daniel Chakupe, Francesco Zekumbawire and Godknows Mangani, among others.

How Mine will also be upbeat following their 3-1 win over champions Caps United in Harare last Wednesday.

The gold miners are third on the table, tied on 31 points with Black Rhinos and Ngezi.

ZPC Kariba should be wary of How Mine’s midfield of Pasca Manhanga, Peter Moyo, Timothy January and Kuda Musharu.

Toto Banda will lead their strikeforce, with goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, who is in great form, guarding goal.

Meanwhile, Chicken Inn will be out to complete a double over Bantu Rovers, whom they destroyed 5-0 in the first half of the season.

Rovers and Chicken Inn’s game precedes the How Mine and ZPC Kariba encounter.

Chicken Inn are in position five with 29 points, just two points behind the log leaders.

Tomorrow, Bulawayo City play host to Highlanders, whose coach Erol Akbay arrived yesterday from the Netherlands and will only conduct two practice sessions before the encounter.

Highlanders won the first leg 2-0, with their goals coming from Prince Dube and Simon Munawa.

Dube left the country yesterday for South Africa, but Akbay remains hopeful of getting a positive result.

A top of the table encounter is on the cards at Morris Depot where Rhinos host Ngezi.

Fixtures

Match Day 18
Today: Chicken Inn v Bantu Rovers (Luveve, 1PM), How Mine v ZPC Kariba (Luveve), Yadah FC v Harare City (Morris Depot), FC Platinum v Dynamos (Mandava), Caps United v Shabanie Mine (National Sports Stadium), Hwange v Tsholotsho FC (Colliery)

Tomorrow: Bulawayo City v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Black Rhinos v Ngezi Platinum (Morris Depot), Triangle United v Chapungu (Gibbo)

Match Day 19
Saturday, July 29: Bantu Rovers v FC Platinum (Luveve), Tsholotsho FC v How Mine (Dulivhadzimu), ZPC Kariba v Yadah FC (Nyamhunga), Harare City v Caps United (National Sports Stadium)

Sunday, July 30: Shabanie Mine v Highlanders (Maglas), Dynamos v Triangle United (National Sports Stadium), Chicken Inn v Bulawayo City (Luveve), Chapungu v Black Rhinos (Ascot), Ngezi Platinum v Hwange (Baobab)

Table

P    W    D    L    F    A    GD    Pts
Black Rhinos    16    9    4    3    21    7    14    31
Ngezi Platinum Stars    17    9    4    4    25    15    10    31
How Mine    17    9    4    4    14    11    3    31
*Dynamos    15    9    3    3    22    12    10    30
Chicken Inn    16    9    2    5    15    7    8    29
FC Platinum    16    7    8    1    14    7    7    29
Highlanders    16    8    4    4    17    13    4    28
ZPC Kariba    17    8    3    6    19    16    3    27
Triangle United    17    5    7    5    15    17    -2    22
Shabanie Mine    17    5    6    6    13    14    -1    21
*Chapungu    16    5    6    5    10    11    -1    21
Harare City    17    4    6    7    10    11    -1    18
Bulawayo City    16    5    3    8    16    20    -4    18
Yadah FC    17    4    4    9    14    22    -8    16
Hwange    16    3    5    8    10    20    -10    14
Caps United    10    3    4    3    14    10    4    13
Bantu Rovers    17    2    3    12    18    37    -19    9
Tsholotsho FC    17    0    6    11    8    25    -17    6

*match abandoned

@ZililoR