CAN history repeat itself for Luke Masomere who has been a pain for Dynamos in the recent past when his new side, How Mine, engage the league champions in the semi-final of the One Wallet Cup at Mandava Stadium on Sunday?
FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
While at Shabanie Mine last season, Masomere bundled Dynamos out of the BancABC Sup8r Cup with a 3-2 in the semi-final at Barbourfields Stadium.
Shabanie Mine held DeMbare 1-1 in both league matches in April at Maglas Stadium and November at Rufaro Stadium.
When Masomere crossed the floor to Mutare-based Buffaloes this year, the former army side edged Dynamos 1-0 in a league match at the National Sports Stadium in May.
Dynamos manager Richard Chihoro yesterday said they had much respect for Masomere, but they were not looking at his history against the champions. He said they wanted to avenge the defeat they suffered from How Mine in the Mbada Diamonds Cup last season.
How Mine beat Dynamos 1-0 in the semi-final of the country’s major cup tournament last October in Harare.
“This is a must-win game for us. We beat How Mine in the league early in the season, but the memory of the Mbada Diamonds Cup defeat last year still lingers and we want to revenge. The dust has settled at Dynamos and everything is okay.
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We respect Masomere, he is a very good coach — one of the best coaches in the country — but we definitely must win this one,” Chihoro said.
Dynamos travel to Mandava with Stephen Alimenda, Washington Pakamisa, Ronald Chitiyo, Tafadzwa Rusike, Farai Mupasiri, Walter Mukanga and Anesu Gondo.
Masomere, who has spent a few days with How Mine after joining them on Tuesday, said he was not holding his head high and basking on his past glory against DeMbare.
“It is really good to be playing one of the best teams in the league and I am using this game to assess my players. It will be good to be doing this at this high level. It is one the games that I am looking forward to,” Masomere, who was introduced to the club’s sponsors yesterday morning said.
“I am here to build a team that has lost confidence. I am not under pressure to win the cup and I don’t want to be overconfident although there are positive signs coming through. How Mine will rise. I am just trying to work on the mental aspect of the game, otherwise everything else is okay.”
How Mine are still without injured Menard Mupera, but have hope in Kuda Musharu, Timothy January, Wonder Sithole, Thembani Masuku, mid-season signing Caleb Masocha, who reunites with Masomere, Edmore Muzanenhamo and the central defence of skipper Gilbert Banda and Nyasha Mukumbi.
