Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Grace Chingoma
27 December 2008
Harare — LANCASHIRE Steel have vowed to overcome the challenge of Division One sides and retain top-flight status when the Premier Soccer League play-offs begin this afternoon.
The Kwekwe steelmen host Eastern Region Division One runners-up Eagles in their opening play-offs encounter at Baghdad this afternoon.
Lancashire finished just above the drop zone after falling to Premiership and relegation rivals Eastern Lions on the final day of the top-flight programme.
The Midlands outfit who finished with 36 points, the same as relegated Masvingo United, however, had a better goal difference over the busmen, which guaranteed them another day to fight in the league.
Lancashire chairman Tendai Hove was yesterday brimming with confidence that Lancashire would see off the challenge of Eagles and other Division One sides -- Mwana Africa and Shabanie Mine.
Hove said they were treating their showdown with Eagles like a major cup final.
"We are leaving no stone unturned.
"Tomorrow's match is a cup final to us because we want to retain our slot. We give Eagles enough respect but we will be out for a win.
"We have been training hard since we lost to Chapungu and the only break was for Christmas. The players are raring to go. We have been working on our mistakes which saw us in this precarious position and we have tabled good incentives for the players including bonuses and moral support for them," said Hove.
There appeared to be some confusion in the Lancashire camp, however, with coach Innocent Chogugudza revealing that his contract with the steelmen had expired.
Chogugudza claimed he was not aware of how Lancashire had prepared for their game against Eagles as he was at his home in Gweru.
But Hove maintained that the former Chapungu coach was still in charge of Lancashire and had presided over their final training session yesterday afternoon.
Whether Chogugudza was playing mind games ahead of today's encounter will be seen this afternoon when the steelmen take to the battlefield.
But Eagles, a professionally run outfit, are not feeling intimidated at the prospects of beginning their play-offs campaign against a team from the Premiership.
Club secretary Blessing Chiroodza believes their clash with Lancashire today was crucial in that could set the tone of their play-offs campaign.
Eagles had set out to win automatic promotion but narrowly that battle to Mutare outfit Highway.
"We are confident we will do well at the same time it is a challenge for us, if we beat them we are home and dry because it will give us the much needed confidence in the other matches."We have prepared thoroughly for the games," said Chiroodza.
Returning Eagles coach Mike Madzivanyika can bank on a number of promising players with a burning ambition to play top-flight football and bring back the elite game to Marondera.
Chief striker Clive Kawinga who led the Eastern Region goal scoring chats with 16 goals, the exciting Courage Denias, veteran forward Webster Muronda and Zimbabwe youth internationals Tendai Rantokoane, James Marufu and Charlton Mashumba should all be at Madzivanyika's disposal this afternoon.
It will be a battle of the mining sides at Maglas in Zvishavane when former Premiership sides Shabanie Mine and Mwana Africa lock horns in another play-off.
Interestingly both teams will be under the guidance of their former players when they meet this afternoon.
The Shabanie technical bench will be led by the team's former midfielder John Phiri who took charge of the asbestos miners after the sudden departure of Albert "Dhalala" Mabika.
Former Douglas Warriors and Mwana Africa centre back Alfred Chinodakufa will be barking instructions for the gold and nickel miners in the absence of coach Stanford "Stix" Mtizwa.
Warriors legend Mtizwa is unable to take charge of Mwana Africa's match as he will be attending the wedding of his son -- CAPS United midfielder Lionel -- in the capital today.
Chinodakufa reckoned that Mwana Africa would hold their own against a Shabanie side that finished second behind Hwange in the race for the Southern Region ticket.
"I wasn't following the Southern Region much but I don't think it is a match one would lose sleep. We have done our homework well though we have one or two injuries, which we will not disclose.
"We are looking at winning all our home matches and the worst result we should get from the away matches should be a can get away is a draw. But a win in the opening match will be a morale booster for us," said Chinodakufa.
Free-scoring striker Daniel Kamunenga will lead Mwana Africa's bid for a quick return to Premiership football.
The four sides will resume battles with their second games on Wednesday.
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