DeMbare hunt Black Rhinos

Sport
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League giants Dynamos and Highlanders face possible upsets this afternoon from relegation-threatened sides.

Castle Lager Premier Soccer League giants Dynamos and Highlanders face possible upsets this afternoon from relegation-threatened sides.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MADYIRA

Dynamos travel to Kadoma for a date with Black Rhinos at Rimuka as Highlanders welcome Hwange at Barbourfields.

DeMbare are seeking to defend the league title while Highlanders are keen to end a six-year league crown barren spell, but giants slaying acts could spoil the day for the traditional football institutions.

Eager to vacate the relegation zone where they are stuck three places from the bottom with 17 points from as many games, Rhinos pose a big threat to Dynamos.

The 19-champions’ captain Murape Murape does not want to forget that their only two defeats this season have come from the so-called minnows Buffaloes and How Mine.

“Rhinos are a big challenge and it is going to be difficult facing them. Such teams are the most difficult to play against,” said Murape.

Dynamos and Highlanders are tied on 31 points but the Glamour Boys enjoy a superior goal difference. Murape appears to like the stiff competition.

“No one wants us to win a third straight league title and the team that will win it is going to take pride in that they have dethroned Dynamos. But the tougher the race, the sweeter the victory,” said Murape.

Coach Kalisto Pasuwa travels with a depleted squad, especially upfront where forwards Clive Kawinga, Washington Pakamisa, Patrick Khumbula and Francisco Zekumbawire are injured.

Stephen Alimenda is suspended while Devon Chafa is with the Warriors in Zambia, leaving Pasuwa without a natural defensive midfielder. Versatile Thomas Magorimbo who could fit in that position is not fully fit and so is right-back Morris Kadzola.

At Barbourfields, Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu would be missing linkmen Hillary Madzivanyika, Bheki Ncube and Peter Moyo due to injuries while Masimba Mambare and Munyaradzi Diya are away with the national team.

Defenders Lawson Nkomo and Honest Moyo are also injured but Kaindu welcomes back fullback Bruce Kangwa from suspension.

“These injuries will obviously force us to make changes in some positions,” said Kaindu. “I believe we have able players to cover up for those injured and at the end of the day, we do not have to cry loud that we have many injuries.”

Other fixtures: Buffaloes FC vs Triangle United FC Sakubva Caps United FC Vs Monomotapa FC National Sports Stadium