Hwange, crowned champions of the Southern Region last year, have over
the years have been in and out of the country's top division but will
no doubt seek to use today's clash against the Green Machine to prove
they are back in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to stay.
However,
had it been up to them Hwange would certainly not have chosen to mark
their return to the PSL with a match against a Caps side desperate for
a morale booster after last week's indifferent performance in the Caf
Confederations Cup.
The Cup Kings, who were held to a goalless
draw by the visiting Egyptian side ENPPI to a goalless draw in a first
leg tie of the continental club competition, will definitely look to
put that game behind with a good showing on the domestic scene.
Today's
match against Hwange will not only be important for Lloyd Chitembwe and
his charges to ensure to their campaign for honours on the home front,
it will also be crucial as a warm-up match ahead of their second leg
encounter against the Egyptians next weekend.
Caps will do battle against ENPPI in Cairo and will hope to pull a surprise by defeating the Egyptians in their own backyard.
Meanwhile,
Gunners F.C will date Bulawayo giants Highlanders at Barbourfields
stadium, in another premier soccer league match, this afternoon.
Affectionately
known as Chando Kupisa' Gunners will be led by a zealous and
over-confident Moses Chunga as the visiting side seeks an upset on
Bosso.
The match at Barbourfields today should be a good to
gauge how much quality is at Highlanders following a disappointing
season, which saw the former champions finishing in fourth position in
the league, a dismal performance by Bosso's own high standards.
Bosso
will be under pressure today to avoid a defeat at home so as to keep
the faith of the staunch fanatics, at the same time trying to win back
those on the verge of falling to the other side of the football
fraternity.
Bosso lost first choice goalkeeper Washington Arubi
to Bantu Rovers during the off season break as well as goal-getter
Cuthbert Malajila signed for Harare giants, Dynamos.
Highlanders
faces the possibility of seeing some of its fans switching support to
new arrivals in Bulawayo, Bantu Rovers, who are coached by former Bosso
head coach Methembe Ndlovu.