FACING Dynamos on their own turf on the second game of the season is something that would make small teams wet their pants, but not ZPC Kariba in today’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium.
BY ALBERT MARUFU
Fresh from notching a point following their 1-1 draw against another giant CAPS United in their season opener last weekend, Gwenya reChamhembe are ready for the champions.
Many will remember the fate of Hardbody FC two seasons ago, who opened up the season with a tie against Dynamos before facing Highlanders in their third game in the 2012 season Through stage fright or not, Hardbody lost both matches and with those losses, their confidence disappeared leading to them bidding goodbye to topflight football.
However, ZPC Kariba coach Soul Chaminuka, who watched in agony as Dominic Chungwa cancelled Pride Tafirenyika strike in their season opener against CAPS United last weekend, is confident of causing an upset.
“We are ready for Dynamos and we will give them a good run for their money. We respect them because they have achieved a lot in the past, but we promise them a tough game. We are also a premiership team so that makes us equals,” said Chaminuka soon after the club’s last training session yesterday.
Chaminuka’s confidence could be stemming from the array of experience that is in his side.
Besides Tafirenyika, who has experience of matches against Dynamos from his days at Shooting Stars and later CAPS United, Chaminuka also has veterans such as Limited Chikafa, Caleb Masocha, David Rediyoni and Tawanda Munyanduri among a host of others.
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Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro whose side has been hit by a spate of injuries said they respect ZPC Kariba because they are no longer a first division side.
The champions, who scrapped to a 1-0 victory over How Mine, go into the match devoid of Walter Mukanga, Tawanda Muparati, Ocean Mushure, and Clive Kawinga, but welcome back veteran Murape Murape.
“ZPC Kariba is no longer a first division team. Moreover they have a number of players who have premiership experience. Games such as this one need a lot of plotting because they are tricky,” he said. “Despite the injuries, we still have enough players who can fill in the gap. Remember we registered over 30 players.”
Elsewhere, last season’s league runners up Highlanders welcomes highflying Shabanie Mine at Barbourfields.
Bosso, will be hoping for a change of fortune following their draw against Chapungu last weekend, but with coach Kelvin Kaindu holed in United Kingdom for his UEFA B Licence coaching course, it might prove to be a tall order for stand in coach Mark Mathe.
In Chiredzi Moses Chunga will test his community project as his Chiredzi FC takes on Triangle in a local derby. Chunga comes face to face with his former teammate at Dynamos Biggie Zuze.
Army side Buffaloes who found the mining compound of Hwange too complex to negotiate the way to at least a point and lost 4-1 will be hoping for a change of fortunes against Chicken Inn.
While Buffaloes were losing their way in the dark shafts of the colliery, Chicken Inn had a flying start to the season winning 3-0 against Harare City.
