Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
A bruised Hwange in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League and a charging ZPC Hwange in the Southern Region Division One have become symbolic of contrasting football fortunes.
They hail from the same town and share the same name with one of them sponsored by the Colliery company while the other is owned by the Power Utility.
That is however where the similarities end.
Hwange FC better known as Chipangano are stuck at the bottom of the Premier Soccer League while ZPC Hwange are perched at the top of the Southern Region Division One league.
A limping Chipangano face another tricky test when they take on log leaders Manica Diamonds.
Fortune has not favoured the coal miners as they continue to dabble between draws and defeats.
New coach Rodwell Dhlakama is however confident that he knows where things have gone wrong at Hwange Football Club.
“There is a lack of clinical finishing in front of goals. If only we can fix that, I believe that is the prescription that the doctor ordered,” he said.
In sharp contrast, division one side ZPC Hwange are enjoying a good run.
Perched at the top of the log, the team is oozing confidence.
“Our team is playing fantastic football. I am content with the way they are playing. Our goals show that we are on track and to date, we have only conceded once. We are at par on points with Bulawayo City though only separated by a goal difference in our favour,” said ZPC Hwange coach, Tebello Njekwa.
The Hwange community can only hope that bottom-placed Chipangano will rise and on fire ZPC Hwange will maintain the good form throughout the season in order to have more premiership football in their backyard.
