CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League champions Dynamos and Shabanie would be hoping for redemption time when they clash at Rufaro on Sunday afternoon.
Report by Albert Marufu DeMbare come into this match with tails between their legs as their championship aspirations received a double whammy after the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Chicken Inn while Chinda Boys were held to a 1-all draw by Black Mambas in midweek fixtures. Further losses would derail their progress in the league. Moreover, their dressing rooms have been blighted by a number of injuries with Shabanie missing the services of Lenon Chisunga, Blessing Mbavarira, Marlvin Sanyika and Boniface Ndimanje. Dynamos, who are second behind log leaders, Highlanders would be missing services of the suspended Rodrick Mutuma while Murape Murape and Zambians Arthur Kaseloki and Derrick Kabwe are still to recover from injuries. However, the team’s mainstay, Denvar Mukamba, is fit for the match and so is workhorse Tawanda Muparati. The team’s captain Guthrie Zhokinyu said the team had put behind their 1-0 loss through a Partson Jaure own goal and were ready for the task at hand. “We cannot afford to lose another game at this stage of the campaign. We need to keep collecting maximum points until we win the championship. In the game against Chicken Inn we created a number of chances which we, however, failed to utilise. We hope to take our chances on Sunday (today),” he said. Shabanie coach, Luke Masomere, said he would not have wanted to play Dynamos at this time when his side has a number of injuries. “If it was possible, I would have asked for the match to be played next week because more than five of my regular players are injured. I have recalled some players who are playing in the reserves. Eria Phiri is still injured, but we might be forced to use him in this match,” he said. “However, we have prepared for the match and we also need the three points just like them,” Masomere said. Premiership’s leading goalscorer with 15 goals, Nelson Mazivisa, is however, available for selection. Elsewhere rejuvenated CAPS United travel to Bulawayo for a date with Quelaton at Luveve while FC Platinum welcome Harare City at Mandava. Gweru’s Ascot Stadium play host to Hardbody against Motor Action.
Sunday’s matches. FC Platinum v Harare City (Mandava), Dynamos v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro), Hardbody v Motor Action (Ascot), Buffaloes v Chicken Inn (Sakubva), Quelaton v CAPS United (Luveve).
