CAPS United begin the defence of the ZNA Charity Shield this weekend when they take on the blue half of Harare, Dynamos, in a semi-final match at the National Sports Stadium this weekend on the back of recent contrasting fortunes for the two sides.
SPORTS EDITOR
The other semi-final will feature Highlanders and FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday. The matches take place during the weekend when the senior national team will be away to Tanzania in the Afcon 2015 first round, first leg qualifier.
Caps beat Black Rhinos 2-0 in last year’s final at Rufaro Stadium with Leonard Fiyado and Ronald Pfumbidzai on target.
This weekend’s semi-final presents both teams with chances to re-oil their teams after difficult games in the last three weekends.
Caps were mauled 4-0 by Highlanders at Barbourfields, but bounced back immediately to beat Rhinos 2-0 last Saturday.
Dynamos lost 1-0 to Chapungu and Buffaloes before a 0-0 draw against Shabanie Mine at Maglas on Sunday and need a match like this to sharpen their misfiring strikeforce, which has not scored in the last three matches.
Anesu Gondo flattered to deceive against Harare City, but is certainly one for the future who should be learning from the likes of Washington Pakamisa, Simba Sithole and Patrick Khumbula. But with the trio at sea, there is now unnecessary pressure on young Gondo to deliver.
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Dynamos will be without goalkeeper George Chigova, defenders Sydney Linyama and Patson Jaure and midfielder Stephen Alimenda who are with the Warriors for the Tanzania match, but can still call upon Artwell Mukandi in goal.
Pfumbidzai and Hardlife Zvirekwi will be missing for Caps United if selected for the Tanzania trip on Friday.
At Barbourfields, Highlanders, who drew 1-1 against ZPC Kariba in Harare on Sunday, will miss goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, Milton Ncube, Peter Moyo and Kuda Mahachi for the Platinum match.
Diya has been benched for the last two matches against Caps United and ZPC Kariba while Moyo, after an impressive performance for the Warriors at the Chan finals in South Africa early this year, seems to be struggling to fit into the Bosso system.
The absence of Diya means coach Kelvin Kaindu can call upon Arial Sibanda or give some game time to third choice goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni.
With Mahachi and Ncube out, there could be space for Mgcini Sibanda, Valentine Ndaba, Joel Ngodzo and Cleopas Dube to compete for starting berths with the former champions keeping one eye on next weekend’s home league clash against Harare City.
For Platinum, Lloyd Mutasa also needs some re-organisation of his men after a morale-sapping 1-0 loss to Buffaloes in Mutare on Sunday.
He has the talent at his disposal – veterans of note-Daniel Veremu, Aaron Katebe, Ali Sadiki, Mitchelle Katsvairo, Stephen Sibanda, Njabulo Ncube, Allan Gahadzikwa, Donald Ngoma, Nelson Mazivisa and Qadr Amin, but the wins are just not coming.
Their best player for this season so far Marshall Mudehwe was called up for national duty by Warriors coach Ian Gorowa.
