Zimpapers Logo

Phillip Marufu

Midlands Correspondent
Gweru-based Chapungu will be without four key players who are nursing various injuries when they play against Ngezi Platinum this afternoon.

The injured are Maxwell Mavuto, Nhlanhla Ncube, skipper Phillip Marufu and Ngonidzashe Murisa.

There are however hopes that the ageless Marufu might pass a late fitness test.

The airmen will be hoping for a change in fortunes following a poor start to the season when they take on the league debutants at Ascot Stadium.

“Waru Waru” are third from bottom with five points from six games following a disastrous start to the season which saw them losing three nil to Caps United before back to back losses to FC Platinum and Highlanders.

Their five points are from a win against Hwange and draws against Tsholotsho and Bulawayo City.

John Nyikadzino, the Chapungu coach has blamed injuries to key players which he said has had an effect on results on the pitch.

“If you look, we were doing well during the pre-season but our key players got injured on the final week of our pre-season preparations while some got injured on the opening week of the season and this has affected our game since our play revolves around these players,” he said.

Nyikadzino expressed confidence that his side will come to the party against the league debutants.

“So far our preparations went according to plan and we are to build on last week’s draw against Bulawayo Chiefs where we managed to score in open play.

This is a plus for us and playing at home should see us securing maximum points so that we catch up with the rest of the teams.

If we get a win everything will start to fall into place,” he said.

However Ngezi Platinum will not be pushovers and have surprised many and sundry with some solid performances so far this season despite their 4-1 mauling at the hands of Bulawayo giants Highlanders last Saturday.