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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
SOUTHERN Region Division One League debutants Main Line have warned former Premiership side Hwange to underrate them at their own peril, as they seek to build from last weekend’s 1-0 victory over ZRP Bulawayo.

Main Line host Hwange at Dingumuzi Stadium in Plumtree tomorrow afternoon, with coach Charlton Gumede declaring that his charges are ready to upset the coal miners.

While most newcomers prefer to face experienced campaigners as underdogs, Gumede believes playing top teams brings the best out of his players.

“We might be in our first season, but we can’t go into a game against a top side like Hwange with a negative attitude. We have to be bullish and as a coach it is my duty to motivate my players. I respect Hwange for being seasoned campaigners with an experienced coach and players, but on the field of play, we won’t respect them,” said Gumede.

“We’ve been working hard to get positive results and we want to maintain some form of consistency by building from last weekend’s win over ZRP Bulawayo. Hwange must know that if they are to win, they have to work for the victory because we won’t give them points on a silver platter,” he said.

Main Line are in 10th place on the league table with 10 points, seven points behind Hwange, who top the table with 17 points.

Main Line will bank on former Bulawayo Chiefs’ central midfielder Fundani Nkomo, defender Arnold Mpofu and goalkeeper Kwanele Mabuza, among other players, to cause an upset.

The coalminers are aiming for a quick Premiership return and have a lot of experience in their squad such as former national team defenders Felix Chindungwe and Obert Moyo, goalkeeper Taimon Mvula, midfielders Canaan Nkomo, Andrew Chuma and Eddie Nkulungo as well as veteran striker Gilbert Zulu.

Hwange coach Nation Dube said they will not underrate any opposition.

“We play all games to win and we don’t underrate any opposition. To us, we treat each game like a final and the good thing is that the players also share the same vision,” said Dube.

Last weekend Hwange came from a goal down to beat 10-man Talen Vision.

Meanwhile, Tsholotsho, the only team yet to lose in eight games, will take on Bosso 90 at Luveve Stadium on Sunday, while third-placed Makomo are home against Zim Leopards.

Fixtures
Tomorrow: NRZ Leopards v Talen Vision (Dete), CIWU v Toronto (Crescent, 12PM), ZRP Bulawayo Province v Mosi Rovers (Raylton), Moto Moto v ZPC Hwange (Mpumalanga), Indlovu Iyanyathela v Casmyn (Mzilikazi Barracks, 12PM), Main Line v Hwange (Plumtree)

Sunday: Makomo v Zim Leopards (Mpumalanga, 12PM), Bosso 90 v Tsholotsho (Luveve)
Table
P    W    D    L    F    A    GD    Pts
Hwange    8    5    2    1    13    4    9    17
Tsholotsho    8    4    4    0    8    3    5    16
Makomo    8    3    4    1    9    6    3    13
CIWU    8    3    4    1    8    6    2    13
ZPC Hwange    8    3    4    1    6    4    2    13
Mosi Rovers    8    4    1    3    11    10    1    13
I. Iyanyathela    8    3    3    2    7    7    0    12
Moto Moto    8    4    2    3    7    5    2    11
Talen Vision    8    2    4    2    12    9    3    10
Main Line    8    3    1    4    8    9    -1    10
Bosso 90    8    2    4    2    7    8    -1    10
Zim Leopards    8    2    2    4    8    13    -5    8
Casmyn    8    1    3    4    3    7    -4    6
NRZ Leopardsz    8    1    3    4    3    8    -5    6
ZRP Bulawayo    8    1    2    5    5    11    -6    5
Toronto    8    0    5    3    2    8    -6    5
— @ZililoR