HWANGE FC’s previous engagements with champions Dynamos in Harare have at most ended in tears.
BY ALBERT MARUFU
If they do not end in defeat, as has been the result in most cases, violence will be meted against their own with then assistant coach Nation Dube being the victim last year after being beaten by Dynamos marshals.
On that fateful day, the coal miners, who played the game without Dube who had been rushed to hospital, lost the match 4-2.
However, Chipangano have vowed to win today’s tie against the same opponents at the same venue to ease relegation worries as they precariously lie third from the bottom with seven points from eight games. Just a point separates them from the bottom-placed duo Black Rhinos and Tripple B.
Dube said they cannot continue to endure the nine hours and 26 minutes journey to the capital from Hwange and go home empty handed. “We have to win this game because we need to start picking up points. If you look at the log standings, one win for us will change everything. A win will see us climbing up the ladder as it is everyone’s wish to be number one. We cannot travel this long journey just to donate points,” said Dube.
Dube, however, said he has had to travel with 20 players instead of the normal 18 because two of his players, David Bworiwondo and Kelvin Banda, might fail to recover from injuries.
Dynamos vice-captain Tawanda Muparati, who will lead the Dynamos troops in the absence of the suspended Murape Murape, said time was up for Dynamos to start picking up wins consistently.
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“We have managed six draws and two wins and that is not a good record at all. The game is a must for us and every player is raring to go,” he said.
The team’s assistant coach Ti-chaona Diya echoed his sentiments, adding that despite the injuries they were hoping for a victory. “We are definitely looking for three points and we do not have any excuse. Yes, we have injuries in the team, but there are equally good replacements,” he said.
Dynamos will be missing the services of the suspended Murape Murape and the injured Francesco Zekumbawira, Stephen Alimenda, Patrick Khumbula, Tichaona Mabvura, goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi and Augustine Mbara.
Elsewhere, Taurai Mangwiro’s CAPS United, who have lost their previous two league matches, travel to Gibbo stadium for a date with Gishon Ntini’s Triangle hoping for a change of fortunes. “We are aware that the team has to start winning. In the last game against Shabanie, we were just unfortunate to concede those goals,” he said.
CAPS United will be missing the services of the injured Rahman Kutsanzira, Tawanda Munyanduri and the suspended Arnold Chivheya. However, defender Ronald Pfumbidzayi is back from suspension. At Maglas Luke Masomere’s charges Shabanie welcome Harare City, while How Mine and Buffaloes fight it out at Luveve.
Today’s fixtures: Shabanie vs Harare City (Maglas) How Mine vs Buffaloes (Luveve)Triangle vs CAPS United (Gibbo)Dynamos vs Hwange (Rufaro)
