Mqondisi Dube
28 November 2008
Selebi-Phikwe — Nico United seek to put aside their internal woes when they visit former champions, ECCO City Greens in Francistown on Sunday.
The fixture comes after reports that Nico coach, Madinda Ndlovu has resigned and players are not happy. Hence Ndlovu takes his troops to Francistown hoping for a good result to boost morale.
The two clubs were locked in a tug-of-war at the end of last season, when ECCO unsuccessfully tried to recruit gifted midfielder, Master Masiku. After much wrangling, Nico retained the player. It is known that ECCO are admirers of Ndlovu and at one stage, were reportedly interested in him. Still basking in last season's brilliant performance, Nico started the season on a promising note, but recent events threaten to scupper progress.
Majombolo would find solace in the fact that ECCO are struggling. Mamojadiski became the first northern side to bag the league title after a successful run in 2006 under the tutelage of Barry Daka. However, a lot has changed since then and the departure of key players has impacted negatively on the Francistown side. Midfield dynamo, Abednico Powell and Under-23 striker, Tebogo Sembowa are some of the high profile names to have jumped the ECCO ship.
However, despite losing good players, ECCO still boast a lethal strike force of Robert Tamba, burly captain Malepa 'Chippa' Bolelang and the gangly Mandla 'Sukunyetsa' Sibanda. On their day, the trio can sway the game to the green side of Francistown.
Former Nico captain, Tony Selala, who moved to ECCO, would want to prove a point to his former paymasters. Majombolo will bank on Masiku, Thobo 'Fish' Kgoboge and Eric Molebatsi for victory. The defence, which look shaky is still a cause for concern for Ndlovu.
The coach said preparations had not gone well since the start of the season. He said the side lacks depth, which is worsened by the injury to defender Derrick Ramofi who is out for the whole season. "We are very thin. We lack depth.
It will take us time to start playing as we did last season," Ndlovu said. Despite the setbacks, he is confident the team is prepared to face ECCO on Sunday. "We are ready for the game, we hope that we will pass this difficult phase soon and return to our winning ways," Ndlovu said.
ECCO spokesman, Umabatsho Mathalaza said all the players are available and the deadly Bolelang has recovered from a nagging injury and is raring to go although he might not be match fit.
ECCO seek to chalk up their second victory of the season after beating Tafic 1-0 in their last outing. The Francistown side started the season badly, falling to Boteti Young Fighters.
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