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Tsholotsho FC coach Lizwe Sweswe

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO Football Club return to Bulawayo for a match against winless Buffaloes at Luveve Stadium this Sunday with the technical team saying they will not be swayed by their opponents’ poor position on the league table. The Mutare-based strugglers remain one of five teams that are yet to win a match this season and find themselves on position 12 with just three points from five games while iZiqholo zeZhwane are on position five, six points behind leaders Triangle United.

Head coach Lizwe Sweswe, aware of the danger that Buffaloes pose in their bid to steer out of the relegation zone, has been working on his players’ mental strength and preparedness so as to avoid complacency.

“We’ve been working more on their mental preparedness. We know Buffaloes have not collected maximum points as yet and naturally we are not prepared to be the first to extend the luxury to them. We also know that we still remain underdogs as Tsholotsho because we are a new team in the league and everyone is looking down upon us,” said Sweswe.

He reported a clean bill of health and said everyone was available for selection.

Despite playing their league matches in Bulawayo, Tsholotsho are still using their lawnless ground at the Tsholotsho business centre so as to cut down on travel costs.

“We feel there is no major difference with other teams’ training fields. It’s only that ours is in the rural areas but perhaps tomorrow (today) we will train at the match venue,” said Sweswe.

Straight from a 2-0 win against fellow league debutants Whawha at Ascot Stadium, Sweswe is expected to collect his first set of three points at home and condemn the visitors to more misery.

Another troubled outfit, Hwange travel to Gweru to face on-fire Chapungu, who almost caused a dressing room reshuffle at Highlanders after a shock 1-0 win against the Bulawayo giants which was followed by a 2-1 win over ZPC Kariba.

The coalminers’ coach Nation Dube said he was not reading much into Chapungu’s fine run and would approach the game with a positive mind.

“If Chapungu has managed to rise from the ashes what can stop us as Hwange? The boys are focused on the game and morale is high during our training sessions,” said Dube.

Meanwhile, four players will miss action this weekend after accumulating three yellow cards each.

Whawha’s Nyasha Bude, FC Platinum’s Brian Muzondiwa and Dongo Sawmills’ duo of Dereck Chitsanzara and Kelvin Katandika will all watch action from the terraces this weekend. Whawha are involved in a Midlands derby against FC Platinum, whose coach Norman Mapeza is said to have been given an ultimatum to start winning.

Dongo Sawmills are at home to Highlanders at Vengere.