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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HWANGE coach Bigboy Mawiwi has described tomorrow’s game against champions Caps United as “a must win” encounter, as they continue their fight against relegation from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

The coalminers are swimming in the league’s relegation waters, third from the bottom of the table with 23 points from 24 games, and are hard-pressed to win their rescheduled Match Day 14 fixture against the champions at the Colliery Stadium tomorrow.

“It’s a very big game because we’re fighting for our dear lives. We want to survive and have to survive. Caps United are coming from a big game against Dynamos that they won 1-0 and it’s going to be an exciting game,” said Mawiwi.

“We’re going for maximum points and taking our survival fight step by step, meaning that our focus now is on Caps United before thinking about matches after that.”

Since taking over as Hwange head coach in July, Mawiwi has presided over nine matches, eight league games and one Chibuku Super Cup preliminary encounter against Yadah FC.

The former Harare City coach, who was assigned to save Hwange from the chop, has won three out of the eight league games, collecting nine points from a possible 24 points.

All victories were at home against Tsholotsho FC (4-0), Chapungu (2-0) and Bantu Rovers (3-0).

FC Platinum, who edged Hwange 0-1 on September 3 are the only side that left the Colliery Stadium with maximum points since Mawiwi took over.

On the road, the Hwange coach is yet to pick up a point, having lost to championship contenders Ngezi Platinum Stars, Dynamos, Chicken Inn and Triangle United.

Hwange’s preparations for the Caps United game have been dealt a blow, as they will be missing four key players, Gilbert Zulu, Clayton Phiri and Shepard Gadzikwa  through injury while Justin Kaunda is suspended.

“We’ll have to do without four key players but we have to play and win. We registered 30 players and this is a chance for those who are going to be selected to stand up and be counted, fight for the team and showcase their talent,” said Mawiwi.

Goalkeeper Taimon Mvula, the quartet of Crispen Dickson, Gerald Ndlovu, Andrew Chuma and Obert Moyo are expected to lead Hwange against Caps United.

The league champions, buoyed by their 1-0 win over rivals Dynamos, are geared up for Hwange.

“So far we are happy with the progress. Our main objective is to climb up the ladder; we now travel to Hwange to face another difficult game,” Mark Mathe, the Caps United’s assistant coach told our Harare Bureau.

Hwange should lookout for Caps United’s attacking pair of John Zhuwawu and Dominic Chungwa, scorer of the solitary goal against Dynamos.

Castle Lager PSL Rescheduled matches

Tomorrow: Chapungu v Dynamos (Ascot), Hwange v Caps United (Colliery)
***Chapungu v Dynamos match will be resumed from the 56th minute

Table

P     W     D     L     F     A     GD     Pts
Chicken Inn     25     16     3     6     28     12     16     51
FC Platinum     25     14     9     2     27     12     15     51
*Dynamos     24     15     4     5     39     18     21     49
Ngezi Platinum     25     15     4     6     44     25     19     49
ZPC Kariba     25     11     6     8     26     21     5     39
How Mine     25     10     7     8     22     25     -3     37
Caps United     23     9     8     6     31     23     8     35
Triangle United     25     9     8     8     26     25     1     35
Black Rhinos     25     9     6     10     26     22     4     33
Highlanders     24     9     6     9     21     23     -2     33
Bulawayo City     25     9     5     11     29     32     -3     32
*Chapungu     24     7     9     8     15     17     -2     30
Yadah FC     25     8     6     11     22     30     -8     30
Harare City     25     7     7     11     19     20     -1     28
Shabanie Mine     25     6     8     11     16     25     -9     26
Hwange     24     6     5     13     21     31     -10     23
Tsholotsho FC     25     2     10     13     14     34     -20     16
Bantu Rovers     25     3     3     19     22     52     -30     12

*match abandoned

@ZililoR