DeMbare face How Mine test

Sport
AFTER last week’s stunning defeat to Buffaloes in Mutare, wounded Dynamos are eager to redeem themselves in this afternoon’s league clash

AFTER last week’s stunning defeat to Buffaloes in Mutare, wounded Dynamos are eager to redeem themselves in this afternoon’s Castle Premier Soccer League clash with tricky How Mine at Rufaro Stadium.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MADYIRA

Not only did the Buffaloes loss break a 20-match unbeaten record that had stretched from September 26 last year, but it also upset their title defence ambitions as they surrendered second spot to Harare City and slid down to position four.

Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa had set a target of reaching the halfway mark of the season at second position, but the team is likely to miss that objective. DeMbare’s opponents today performed a giant-killing act when they beat Highlanders 2-1 on May 17, which was also the day they last tasted victory.

Since then, How Mine have gone on a four-match winless run although they are settled at the respectable seventh position.

Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro was wary of How Mine.

“How Mine are a very good side and they have many veterans. We are not taking them lightly,” he said.

“But we will work hard to bounce back after we lost to Buffaloes.

“That game taught us that any team in the league is strong and that is why we are not underrating How Mine.

“Yes, we had targeted to be at number two by now, but we will not be worried even if we fail to do that because at this point last season we were at a lower position.”

DeMbare would be missing injured chief striker Washington Pakamisa, the only player whose name appears among the top goalscorers with seven goals.

Defender Partson Jaure is also out after he failed to train the whole week with a swollen shin, but is expected to be back at training on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi is struggling with his knee while forward Franscisco Zekumbawire is still out with a hip problem and Byron Madzokere is recovering from a back injury.

“At least not many players are out injured like in the past where we would have more than half of the key players out,” Chihoro said.

“This time we have a few key players out, but we play as a team and those available an deliver.”

How Mine on the other hand have only Simon Njeleza out with a knee injury, which he sustained during last Thursday’s home match against Triangle. The gold miners have been taunted as a Highlanders B team as they boast in their team of former Bossor players.

Captain Hebert Dick, Gilbert Banda, Brighton Dube, Arnold Ndiweni, Nqobile Mpala, Menard Mupera are some of the players that have previously turned out for Bosso.

The league debutants coach Philani Mabhena is relishing the prospect of facing Dynamos for the first time. “It is a priviledge and honour to play against Dynamos in their own backyard before their passionate supporters,” he said. “ It is something we really want to experience. Dynamos are coming from defeat and that makes it hard for us to beat them. “Although we are underdogs, it is possible to beat them.” Their chief Simba Sithole, who has five goals to his name, is likely to be a cause for concern to the Dynamos defence that has no Jaure.