Bruce Chikuni
HWANGE skipper, Kelly Shiandindi, has blamed bad luck for the coalminers’ indifferent start to their 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
The coalminers have endured an eight-match winless run that followed their Match Day 1-0 win over Yadah at the Colliery.
Hwange, who have managed just six points from nine matches face another tough assignment on Sunday when they visit CAPS United at Rufaro.
Veteran coach, Nation Dube, has watched in dismay as his troops remain rooted at the basement of the table.
But Hwange could find some comfort in knowing that five of their six points have come when they played Harare teams.
After their win over Yadah, they held Dynamos 2-2 at Barbourfields and last weekend settled for a 1-1 draw against Herentals at the Colliery.
Shiandindi claims they have been doing everything to win their games but have been pegged back by bad luck.
“We are doing everything in our power to get a win but I think luck has not been on our side lately.
“But, we are not going to give up because I believe the breakthrough is very close and we just need one win to restore the needed confidence.
“We have been playing some good football but I think luck seems to be favouring us when we are playing teams from Harare and that will be a motivating factor ahead of this game (against CAPS United),” said Shiandindi.
He refused to entertain thoughts of Hwange being relegated.
“It’s too early to count us out because we have a decent squad and a capable technical team with the capacity to turn the tables any time.
“It’s just a rough patch, which is stalling our progress, but it’s only a matter of time before we get into our groove.
“Everyone knows the significance of starting to win games because other teams are not dropping much points and it’s now our responsibility as players to implement what the coach has been telling us.’’
Makepekepe have registered just a win in their last four outings.
They suffered a 0-2 loss at the hands of Highlanders last Sunday having seemed to have bounced back on track following an impressive 3-0 demolition of GreenFuel in a mid-week encounter at Rufaro.