HARARE City say they accept the underdogs tag as they face champions Dynamos in a top-of-the-table Castle Lager Premiership tie at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon with sparks certain to fly.
REPORT BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Encounters between the two teams have always been feisty and the last time they met there was no winner with the match fizzling out into a 0-0 stalemate. Now they face each other again in a match that is likely to have a bearing on the championship this term.
Harare City lead the league with 38 points — three ahead of their rivals who trail on second position.
But they are aware Dynamos have a rich history in the championship race, having won 19 league titles including a league and cup double last term.
Although Harare City have given Dynamos problems in the past, the Boys in Blue carry the favourites’ tag.
And the Sunshine City Boys have been ready to accept the under dogs tag. “We are underdogs and that suits us fine,” said Harare City coach Bigboy Mawiwi yesterday.
“We are a very small club and we will approach this game like any other. We don’t have any pressure. Pressure is more on them than on us.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The Harare City gaffer added that their only worry was that the Premiership break had affected them as they were in top form before the league programme was disrupted due to national team assignments.
“Our only worry is whether we will regain the top form we enjoyed before the break. But what I can say is we are ready for Dynamos,” said Mawiwi.
Harare City are likely to go into the match without Edgar Tapera and winger Silas Songani who are nursing injuries.
But the defending champions have no such problems in their dressing room save for the fact that they will be without midfielder Devon Chafa who was suspended by Fifa after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
Assistant coach Richard Chihoro described today’s fixture as a massive game which they have to win at all costs to bounce back after some inconsistent performances which have seen them drawing eight times in the campaign so far- their worst run in recent years.
“It will be an explosive encounter. City have been playing well and are the log leaders, but this is a chance for us to bounce back. We need a win at all costs. We will miss Devon, but we registered many players and we have replacements in his place.”
Dynamos are still licking their wounds and pondering over the shock exit from the lucrative BancABC Super8r Cup at the hands of Shabanie who defeated them in a dramatic penalty shoot-out on Sunday.
The league champions had the game in the bag until some tactical substitutions by Shabanie coach Luke Masomere turned the game upside down.
Shabanie equalised against the run of play and goalkeeper Victor Twaliki became the star of the day after saving two penalties and scoring the winning spot kick.
In other matches today, bottom-placed Motor Action face Triangle at home, Black Rhinos host Shabanie Mine at Rimuka, while Highlanders welcome Monomotapa to Barbourfields.
FC Platinum travel to Hwange while tomorrow, Caps United will host Tripple B at the National Sports Stadium with How Mine welcoming Black Mambas at Luveve. Fixtures:
Today: Motor Action v Triangle (Motor Action Sports Club), Black Rhinos v Shabanie Mine (Rimuka), Buffaloes v Chicken Inn (Sakubva), Highlanders v Monomotapa (Barbourfields), Harare City v Dynamos (Rufaro), Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery). Tomorrow: How Mine v Black Mambas (Luveve), CAPS United v Tripple B (National Sports Stadium
