Nyikadzino keeps eyes on the ball as Sheasham, Chapungu clash

Sheasham coach John Nyikadzino says he is not being distracted by the favourites tag ahead of his table topping side’s clash against Chapungu at Ascot stadium in the pick of the Central Region Soccer League weekend fixtures on Sunday.

Nyikadzino a veteran of many battles in the Central Region Soccer League reckons that Chapungu are one of the most experienced and strongest sides in the league hence he is anticipating a tough challenge on Sunday.

“We are not reading much into the fact that we are at the top of the log standings and that we are still to be beaten. Our focus everyday is to get a positive result and do better than the previous game in terms of our performance,” Nyikadzino said.

“Being at the top comes with its own pressures and I’m trying hard to psyche up the players so that they remain focused. We are taking each game by game so that we avoid putting pressure on ourselves but with the picture of where we want to be by the end of the season.”

Nyikadzino who won the Central Region Soccer League title twice with Chapungu and Nichrut, said it’s not going to be easy facing his former side despite having beaten them 1-0 in the reverse fixture.

“It will be very queer for me being on the away dugout at Ascot stadium against Chapungu, a club that made who who I am. I will always have respect for Chapungu because for me it’s part of family but now I’m at Sheasham doing what I’m supposed to do as an employee of the club. It’s going to be a tough fixture for me but still I will be looking for a positive result as usual.”

Sheasham lead the log standings in the Central Region Soccer League with 45 points, five ahead of second placed TelOne and 17 ahead of Chapungu who are in sixth position. Chapungu are now under co-coaches Tafadzwa Mombeshora and Tawanda Marimo following the departure of head coach Moses Chunga.

Title chasers TelOne clash against MSU in another potential thriller on Saturday with the Tendai Chikuni coached side needing nothing short of a victory to keep within touching distance of log leaders Sheasham.

Fourth placed Vumbachikwe are away to rejuvenated ZPC Munyati in another exciting fixture on the cards. Both clubs have been grinding results lately with Vumbachikwe beating Bishopstone in their last encounter while ZPC Munyati won away to Paramount United in Gokwe.

Tongogara still smarting from the defeat away to TelOne last week welcome Dulibadzimu at their base while Filabusi United make trip to Zvishavane for a date against Loss Control. Kwekwe United take on Paramount United in the other fixture on Sunday.