DEFENDING champions Dynamos, who will be missing midfielder Masimba Mambare and goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi through injury, will be banking on home record when they host rivals Hwange in the reverse fixture of the Castle Lager Premiership tie at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday. TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Mukandi was injured at training last week, while Mambare limped off in the second half of the league clash against Highlanders which Dynamos eventually won 3-2.
Dynamos went on to draw 1-1 against Hwange at the Colliery last Sunday with Dominic Chungwa getting the equaliser for the Harare giants, while Munyaradzi Mungadze scored for the home team.
While Hwange enjoy dominance over Dynamos at the Colliery where they last lost to their rivals in a league match in October 2012, Hwange have failed to beat Dynamos at Rufaro in the last five years.
The last time they defeated Dynamos was way back in 2010 when Rodwell Chinyengetere scored a late goal five minutes from full time — the only goal of the match that deflated the Harare giants.
Dynamos defender Guthrie Zhokinyu had missed a penalty after referee Masimba Chihowa awarded DeMbare a controversial penalty, adjudging Wonder Sithole had been fouled in the penalty box, a decision which angered then Hwange coach Tenant Chilumba after which he ordered his players off the pitch in protest.
Since then, Hwange have struggled to beat Dynamos on the road.
In 2011, the two teams shared the spoils in a 0-0 draw at Rufaro with Dynamos triumphing 4-2 in another controversial tie the following year which saw Hwange coach Nation Dube and his assistant Mebelo Njekwa being assaulted by Dynamos bouncers before the match as players made their way into the dressing room.
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In 2013, Dynamos overcame their rivals 2-0 at Rufaro, while last season, they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Dynamos are yet to lose at home this season with ZPC Kariba and Buffaloes being the only teams that managed to beat Dynamos at home in the last campaign.
And as the two teams square up again on Sunday, Dynamos have a perfect opportunity to collect maximum points after managing just a point at the Colliery last Sunday.
At Gibbo Stadium, Highlanders will be seeking their second win against Triangle away from Barbourfields Stadium since the Chiredzi outfit was promoted into the Premiership in 2013.
The Bulawayo giants beat Triangle 2-1 at Gibbo Stadium in their first season in the Premiership, but the following year, they could manage just a point at the same venue after sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Last weekend, the two teams played out a 1-1 draw at Barbourfields with Knox Mutizwa scoring for the Bulawayo giants, while Pascal Manhanga scored for Kelvin Kaindu’s charges.
And as they face off again in the reverse fixture at Gibbo on Sunday, Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu is aware of the difficult task he faces.
Log leaders Chicken Inn will also be seeking redemption as they host Caps United in a reverse fixture at Luveve Stadium on Saturday after they were handed a 2-0 defeat as Mark Mathe got his first maximum points since the departure of British coach Mark Harrison.
Chicken Inn, leading the race with 32 points, eight behind Caps United, after 15 rounds of matches, will be looking to consolidate their position at the top as the race enters the decisive phase.
Caps United are in fifth position on the league table with 24 points and if they complete back-to-back victories against the log leaders, they could bounce back into contention for the coveted league title.
On Friday, Sunday Chidzambwa will be seeking his first win of the campaign since joining ZPC Kariba during the two-week break after the Kariba outfit parted ways with Saul Chaminuka.
Chidzambwa has watched in disappointment his side being edged 1-0 by Triangle in his first match in charge at Gibbo before being shocked 1-0 by lowly Tsholotsho at the weekend to fall to 11th position with just 15 points.
He faces the same opponents in the reverse fixture at White City Stadium.
Meanwhile, Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede has responded to claims that Highlanders’ property that include computers, tables, chairs and a bus was attached over unpaid dues to former player Masimba Mambare.
“It’s true. Some of our property was attached yesterday (Tuesday), but we are going to have the matter resolved as a matter of urgency,” Gumede said.
He, however, dismissed the rumours that their new bus had been attached as well.
“It’s our old small commuter omnibus that has been attached. That one was only handed to us, but it’s not yet ours as yet.” Gumede said.
