Veronica Gwaze Sports Reporter
WIN-LESS Herentals College will be hoping to exploit the underdog tag when they face Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders, FC Platinum, at Rufaro this afternoon.
Herentals captain, Blessing Majarira, believes pressure will be more on FC Platinum, who are keen to reclaim the Premiership title they surrendered to Ngezi Platinum, last season.
The Zvishavane miners have had a solid start to their season, picking up two successive wins in their opening league games, before settling for a point against Chicken Inn last week.
Herentals are yet to find their feet in the campaign after falling 0-2 to CAPS United in their first game and picking up a point in a goalless draw against Arenel in their second assignment.
“We need to start winning games to boost our confidence going ahead so, instead of the same old tricks that they are used to, we will be using a different approach this time,” he said.
“Despite being home, we are approaching this game as the younger brothers and that should work in our advantage as we have often thrived on that in the past.
“FC Platinum are not an easy team, we need to play our cards correctly to make it past them so we simply need to bring our A-game and make it work.”
Herentals will be playing against their former sons, winger Davison Marowa and forward Juan Mutudza, who are now with FC Platinum.
Now under coach Paul Benza, Herentals brought in former Triangle goalkeeper Reason White, the ex-Cranborne Bullets duo of Leon Daka and Admiral Matope, while promoting Tinashe Mupumha, Tanaka Dhlakama, Tinashe Chimanikire, Webster Dombo and Ryan Kanavheti from their developmental side.
FC Platinum brought in eight new players — Brighton Manhire, Wilfred Muvirimi and Mbongeni Ndlovu from Highlanders, Chicken Inn’s Shepherd Mhlanga, goalkeeper David Bizabani from Greenfuel and Bothwell Nzori from Black Mambas.
They also promoted two players — Anesu Chirinda and Tapiwa Reves — from their juniors.
“The fact that we will be playing against our former mates should be an added advantage to us as we understand how they play.”