INJURY-hit Dynamos will be hoping to overcome their crises and beat Harare City in the Uhuru Cup semifinal at Rufaro this afternoon.
BY ALBERT MARUFU
DeMbare, who two weeks ago beat Highlanders to bag the Bob90 Trophy, will be missing the services of captain Murape Murape, vice-captain Tawanda Muparati, Farai Mupasiri and Sydney Linyama due to injuries.
However, team manager Richard Chihoro believes that the team still has enough ammunition to win the derby on their way to successfully defending the trophy.
“Cup games are tricky, but it is my hope that we will win the game. We just want to start from where we left two weeks ago when we beat Highlanders in the Bob90 final. We will win in spite of the injuries because we have a large pool of players at our disposal,” he said.
Chihoro also said they were expecting a backlash from their former striker Francesco Zekumbawire who has something to prove to his former paymasters.
Now in the books of Harare City, Zekumbawire arrived at Dynamos last season amid so much noise but injuries dogged his stay, resulting in the latter terminating his contract.
“We are aware of the threat he poses if he plays. He is a good player who was just unfortunate at Dynamos because of injuries. However, we know how to neutralise him and I am sure at the end of the day, we will win the game,” he said.
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Chihoro’s confidence might be stemming from the exciting form currently being exhibited by new signings Masimba Mambare, Walter Mukanga and Ronald Chitiyo.
The trio has been exciting in the few matches they have played for the “Glamour Boys” and would be eager to add a silverware to the Bob90 they won two weeks ago.
Striker Simba Sithole, who is still to rediscover his goal scoring touch, will be hoping for a change in fortune this afternoon.
Harare City coach Bigboy Mawiwi, whose side took the title fight to the wire last season only to lose it on the final day of the season after falling to CAPS United, expressed confidence of winning the tie.
“We are ready for our first game of the season. We are aware of the fact that we will be playing the reigning champions. They will also be eager to return the trophy. We will field our best side as we also want to reach the final,” he said.
The “City fathers”, who will be devoid of Silas Songani who is now based in Denmark, still have Nathan Ziwini, Crispen Dickson, David Kutyauripo and William Manondo.
