Champions Dynamos have been hit by suspensions of key players, defender Partson Jaure and midfielder Devon Chafa, ahead of their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash against Motor Action at Rufaro on Sunday.
Report by Tawanda Tafirenyika Jaure picked up three yellow cards in matches against Monomotapa, FC Platinum and Harare City, while Chafa, whose game has significantly improved, was cautioned in the matches against Monomotapa, Hwange and Platinum. The pair will serve a one-match suspension and will not be part of the squad to face the Mighty Bulls.
But coach Kalisto Pasuwa is likely to throw into the fray midfielder Milton Makopa, who has resumed training after missing a couple of games owing to a chest infection.
The industrious midfielder last played for the champions in their 2-1 victory over Platinum in Zvishavane.
He had been on the treatment table since then, but the champions received a major boost this week when he started training with the rest of the team on Tuesday ahead of the Mighty Bulls clash.
Team manager Richard Chihoro said the player had recovered although there were doubts he could be selected for the Sunday game.
Dynamos are targeting a win to consolidate their lead at the top of the Premiership table as they enter the final nine-match stretch in the title race. Although they have registered crucial wins in their last five outings including a laboured 4-2 victory over Quelaton, the champions continue to pay attention to every detail at title challengers Highlanders.
Despite being unbeaten, Highlanders have been overtaken by Dynamos who have already lost twice.
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The champions — who lead the race by two points — have drawn only four times compared to Highlanders’ eight stalemates and Pasuwa is aware of the need to maintain the lead.
Highlanders face Shabanie Mine, without the suspended Pevington Zimunya, at Barbourfields also on Sunday and both teams are aware that any slip-up could plunge them into a nosedive.
But Motor Action, who were booted out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup by Caps United at the weekend, appeared to be in a relaxed mood ahead of the clash against Dynamos.
Mighty Bulls gaffer Joey Antipas said the fixture against Dynamos was just like any other.
He said what was important was for his charges to stay focused.
“It’s another league game. It will be eight games to go after the match against Dynamos and it is important for the players to show 100% commitment. In the first encounter it was 0-0, but we are now aiming at collecting maximum points,” said Antipas.
The Mighty Bulls coach quashed reports of unrest in his camp owing to non-payment of salaries.
He said his charges had been training well and looked focused for the game.
