Students host Gems Boys in first home game Kumbirayi Mutiwekuziva

Grace ChingomaSenior Sports Reporter

HERENTALS are seeking maximum points when they play at home for the first time this season in a Castle Lager Premiership football encounter against Manica Diamonds at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.

The Students played their first league games at Gibbo. They lost to Triangle 1-0 and shared the spoils with newboys Green Fuel in a goalless draw.

But coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva is desperately hoping that the home advantage will swing the tide in their favour.

Interestingly, the afternoon battle is also a fight for first victory for both teams as they have similar results of a defeat and a draw in the opening matches.

The Herentals coach is also not happy with this kind of a start after finishing last season on a high as Chibuku Super Cup finalists.

“We did not start the campaign well this season but it looks like a gradual process.

“It was not easy playing two opening games of the season away from home but we now feel motivated playing our first 2023 home game against Manica Diamonds,” said Mutiwekuziva.

Mutiwekuziva believes this afternoon’s game will be tough for both sides as each team will be trying to collect maximum points.

“It’s a good challenge for us and we have to give our best. We have similar situations to the start of the season. It’s a tough match for both of us. We are all yet to collect maximum points,” he said.

Herentals have been kept intact with the majority of the players, who were part of the team last season, still with the club.

Manica Diamonds, who were among the leading teams for the greater part of last season, have not started well in this campaign. 

They began their campaign in Harare with a 2-0 defeat against CAPS United.

Last week they had a goalless draw against Triangle at Gibbo.

Their strike-force will be looking for goals this afternoon.

Coach Jairosi Tapera reckons they had a slow start to the season but believes the team is still work in progress.

“We had a slow start but it has also given us opportunity to revisit the whole movement of our team, am sure it’s coming up and we are only waiting for our first set of points.

“We worked mostly on our team to understand defending as a unit and attacking in numbers and it shall be well,” said Tapera.

The Manica Diamonds coach feels today’s game would be tricky.

“It is a tricky game in that both teams are on one point, so the team that wants it the most will get it,” he said.

Manica Diamonds have assembled a competitive squad and have some of the most experienced players in the league in the mould of attacking players Donald Ngoma, Panashe Mutasa, Ralph Kawondera and Brett Amidu.

They also have a solid defence led by seasoned goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo and former Warriors defender Liberty Chakoroma and Farai Banda.

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