DYNAMOS assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya says they are not reading much into their dominance over Caps United, but expect a tough challenge when the two football sides clash in what promises to be an exciting Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final clash at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
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Caps United have over the years played second fiddle to Dynamos, including losing both league matches this season, but Ndiraya says this is no advantage at all.
“This is going to be a new game altogether because it is a cup game. We have not met Caps United in a cup game, but the league. We expect a tough encounter despite dominating them over the years. The players will not be complacent because they know what is at stake in games of this magnitude and that is where big players are made as well. We would want our dominance to continue,” he said.
Dynamos are the reigning Premiership champions, facing a stiff challenge from Highlanders with two matches to go before the end of the season, but can still win the league and cup double like last season.
Last year, they won the Mbada Cup after beating Motor Action 1-0 in a rain-soaked final at the National Sports Stadium.
“We want to go all the way to the final and it will be an achievement if we win the cup again. We are confident that we will put up a good fight and we hope that our rich vein of form in the league will continue in this cup competition. We expect a huge crowd at Barbourfields and we call upon fans to desist from violence and accept the outcome of the match,” he said.
Ndiraya said Zambian striker Derrick Kabwe was nursing an injury he picked up during training while Devon Chafa also had an injury he picked up in the league match against Highlanders.
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Former Highlanders coach Mkhuphali “Mr Cooper” Masuku, who took over the reins as head coach of Caps United following the 10-year ban from all football activities on former coach Taurai Mangwiro for his alleged involvement in the Asiagate match-fixing scandal, said he was ready for the match.
“It is going to be a very tough game because the match is going to be like a war, but we are equally ready for the task. Tawanda Munyanduri is injured, but we are monitoring him, but we welcome back Shingirai Kawondera from injury. We need the support of the fans, they should come and watch the game at Emagumeni,” he said.
Masuku is seeking his second silverware with Caps United after clinching his first with Highlanders last year.
The winners of the cup will pocket $100 000 and a $150 000 subsidy to take part in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Caps United cruised through to the semi-finals after beating Motor Action 2-0 at Trojan Mine in Bindura before edging Buffaloes 2-0 at Gibbo Stadium, Triangle, in the next round. Dynamos beat Quelaton 4-2 in a penalty shootout after playing a 1-1 draw before overcoming Gunners 3-0 at Baghdad Stadium in Kwekwe.
