DYNAMOS striker Francesco Zekumbawira has been ruled out of his side’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Tripple B at Mandava this afternoon.
Report by Albert Marufu
The blond haired striker failed to recover in time for the match after aggravating his knee injury in Dynamos’ 1-1 draw against Highlanders last weekend.
Also out for the champions, who currently sit on an unfamiliar position 12 in the 16-team log table is the duo of Augustine Mbara and Devon Chafa who are on national duty in Zambia.
However, Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro said despite the trio’s absence, Dynamos who have managed five draws in as many matches, will be gunning for their first win of the season today.
“Two of our players are with the national team while Zekumbawira is injured. However, it is high time Dynamos start winning and that win must come tomorrow (today). We have worked hard throughout the week and the players are ready for the game,” he said.
Tripple B coach Friday Phiri however fired a warning shot at the Glamour Boys who last week were saved from the jaws of defeat by Partson Jaure’s injury time strike against Bosso.
“We cannot be the first team to donate three points to Dynamos this season. My players are ready for this game and the fact that they will be playing defending champions will motivate them. We want to continue from where we left last week when we won against Triangle,” he said.
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He however, said the fact that they will play the match away from their home ground Dulibadzimu is likely to work against their favour.
“This will certainly affect the players. I hope that my plyers will go into the match with a positive mind,” said Phiri.
Phiri’s side, who are just a point ahead of Dynamos and sitting on position 10, will be buoyed by the return to the team of midfielder Eddie Chafungamoyo who missed last week’s game against Triangle through injury. Chafungamoyo will be ably complemented by Aleck Marime, Itai Gwandu and former Dynamos son Timire Mamvura.
In Zekumbawira’s place, Dynamos will be looking up to Washington Pakamisa, Allen Tavarwisa and Patrick Khumbula. Khumbula showed a lot of promise in the pre-season games, but has since run out of steam while Paka-misa and Tavarwisa, just like Zeku- mbawira, are still to make an impact.
Ageless Murape Murape is also available and so is the trio of felloe midfielders Cliff Sekete, Boban Zirintusa and Tawanda Muparati.
In defence there is Partson Jaure, Morris Kadzola and Byron Madzokere while Artwell Mukandi is expected to keep goal.
Elsewhere, second placed Highlanders who surrendered their lead last week in controversial circumstances against Dynamos welcomes Black Rhinos to their cauldron of Barbourfields.
In the past Bosso, who trail log leaders FC Platinum by two points have struggled against Black Rhinos.
Today: Tripple B vs Dynamos Mandava Stadium Monomotapa vs Shabanie Mine Rufaro Stadium Highlanders vs Black Rhinos Barbourfields Stadium Hwange vs Chicken Inn Colliery Stadium
Wednesday’s matches: Shabanie Mine FC vs Hwange FC Maglas Stadium @ 1500hrs Chicken Inn FC vs CAPS United FC Luveve Stadium @1 500hrs Black Mambas FC vs Harare City FC Morris Depot Stadium @ 1500hrs Dynamos FC vs FC Platinum Rufaro Stadium @ 1500hrs Triangle FC vs Monomotapa FC Gibbo Stadium @ 1500hrs Tripple B FC vs Highlanders FC Mandava Stadium @ 1500hrs
Thursday’s matches: How Mine FC vs Motor Action FC Luveve Stadium @ 1500hrs, Buffaloes FC vs Black Rhinos FC Sakubva Stadium @ 1500hrs
