DYNAMOS coach David “Yogi” Mandigora says he is surprised that they will be facing Caps United again — this time in the ZNA Charity Shield semi-final on Sunday — their third meeting in a month.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Mandigora, speaking during a Press conference addressed by Colonel Alphios Makotore, the director of Army Public Relations, in Harare yesterday, said he thought they would be playing some other team which is not Caps United.
“We have been taken by surprise that we are meeting again. We thought we would meet some other team not the same opponents. But this is for charity and they are our rivals and we need to give it our best shot as usual,” Mandigora said.
Dynamos were booted out of the tournament by Caps United in the semi-finals last season.
However, Mandigora said he did not feel any pressure as he faces off Caps United whom he defeated 1-0 on Sunday in the Bob91 Super Cup.
“I don’t feel any pressure. I am used to pressure. We are preparing as usual. Since it’s still pre-season, we could have a mixture of youth and experience for this match,” Mandigora added.
Dynamos first met Caps United in the Sino-Zim Cement Challenge Cup match and were beaten 6-5 on penalties before engaging them in the Bob91 Super Cup last week in which they triumphed 1-0 to lift the cup courtesy of a superb strike by Ronald Chitiyo.
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Caps United assistant coach Brenna Msiska said they were happy to meet Dynamos again.
“It will be good to play them again. It’s never a friendly when meeting Dynamos. We have forgotten about the previous game and are looking forward to the match,” Msiska said.
In the other semi-final, Highlanders face off How Mine in Bulawayo.
Highlanders were booted out of the Bob91 Super Cup by Caps United and will be looking to put up a better performance ahead of the season-opening tie against ZPC Kariba.
On the other hand, this is How Mine coach Luke Masomere’s chance to collect his first silverware at the Bulawayo side since his move there mid-2014.
Makotore said they decided to invite the four teams because they were crowd pullers and would help them raise the money they need for charity.
Makotore also clarified that they could have invited defending champions FC Platinum, but they settled for How Mine because the champions were committed to the Caf Confederation Cup tournament.
Winners of the final are set to pocket $12 000 with the runners-up walking away with $8 000.
Third and the fourth place will share $5 000.
The organisers of the tournament have pegged $3 for the rest of ground ticket.
Proceeds from the match would go towards charity, which include Tsanga Lodge Convalescent Centre in the Eastern Highlands, Army Widows Orphans Benevolent Fund and the ZNA Benevolent Fund.
Last season, FC Platinum won the ZNA Charity Shield after defeating Caps United 6-0 at Mandava Stadium.
It was coach Norman Mapeza’s first trophy with the Pure Platinum Play before they went on to win the Chibuku Super Cup which gave them the ticket to the Caf Confederation Cup.
