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Struggling DeMbare seek momentum

Sport
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League giants Dynamos seek to allay fears of a tough season for their fans when they clash with Chicken Inn in a Uhuru Cup semifinal at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.

Castle Lager Premier Soccer League giants Dynamos seek to allay fears of a tough season for their fans when they clash with Chicken Inn in a Uhuru Cup semifinal at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

Dynamos have endured a bad start to their 2016 campaign having been at the receiving end of a 3-0 drubbing from today’s opponents before a disappointing home draw against Triangle.

Life under coach Paulo Jorge Silva has not been rosy, but the Independence Cup, normally viewed as a distraction, is of importance to Dynamos, who need to gain some momentum to take into the league campaign.

A win today will definitely give Dynamos the platform to launch their league campaign.

But they know all too well that today’s match will not be a stroll in the park as Chicken Inn have the wind in their sails after a perfect start to their title defence.

The last time the Gamecocks faced DeMbare at Rufaro Stdium, they prevailed, but this may be an opportunity for Joey Antipas to give a chance to other players.

Whichever players he fields today are likely to prove a tough prospect for Dynamos, who are still trying to find their feet.

In the other semifinal, FC Platinum hit the road to Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon for a showdown against Highlanders six days after beating the Bulawayo giants 2-1 in a league match.

This will be the third time the two teams clash this year after they met in the ZNA Charities semi-final in March, where Bosso progressed after a penalty shoot-out.

Bruce Kangwa scored for Highlanders with Walter Musona leveling to force a penalty shootout.

Musona was on target again on Sunday with Obrey Chirwa getting the other goal for Norman Mapeza’s side.

FC Platinum have generally struggled against Bosso in cup competitions, having been knocked out of the Easycall Cup last season.

It’s probably a chance for Mapeza to showcase some of his new players, who have not featured in the league. The likes of Ishmael Wadi, Last Sithole, Rodwell Chinyegetere, Gerald Takwara and goalkeeper Wallace Magalane are likely to start against Bosso.

On the other hand Highlanders’ coach Erol Akbay said he will field the same players that featured against FC Platinum on Sunday with an infusion of young players for Monday.

“Everything is possible because, first we are playing on Saturday (tomorrow) and two days later we have to play another game. That means if my players are tired, I will have to take the young guys with me for the second game, but most importantly, I am a coach who does not like changing players always because I want to have a consistent team,” he said.

Some of the younger players in the Bosso ranks include striker Prince Dube, midfielders, Adrian Silla, Danmore Chakwana and Peter Muduhwa and defender Benson Phiri.

Also likely to feature is Kasimero Chimbadzwa, who joined Highlanders from ZRP FC.

The winner at BF locks horns with the winner between Dynamos and Chicken Inn in the final on Monday at the National Sports Stadium, while the losers will face off in the third-place play-off at White Cityv Stadium.