BY HENRY MHARA
DYNAMOS’ talisman King Nadolo is expected to be part of the squad playing Caps United in a Group 1 Chibuku Super Cup tournament at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
The talented attacker missed the team’s last two matches against Yadah and ZPC Kariba because of a nagging ankle injury.
His absence was barely missed though as the Harare giants went on to win both matches, including a convincing 4-0 victory over Yadah, before beating ZPC Kariba 1-0 on Thursday.
But DeMbare coach Tonderai Ndiraya would be happy to have his star player back for the match, which he is desperate to win for so many reasons.
“King’s importance to the squad cannot be overemphasised,” Ndiraya said.
“He is an integral part of the squad and a very good player that any coach would want to have in his squad.
“He trained this week and we are hopeful that he will not pick an injury in our last training tomorrow (today). Otherwise he is in the squad.”
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Ndiraya wants to win tomorrow’s match to consolidate the team’s position on top of the log standings.
Dynamos and Caps United are both tied on seven points although the former are at the top due to a superior goal difference.
The winner will move clear at the top of Group 1 and with a realistic chance of progressing to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
More importantly, Ndiraya would want to beat Caps United to get the all-important bragging rights which will also give his youthful side massive confidence going forward.
“It won’t be an easy match. This is a derby and we are meeting for the first time in a long time because of the coronavirus pandemic. I’m hopeful that the boys will put a very good show for our supporters. Games of this nature are always difficult but it is our hope that we will play well, commit ourselves in a positive manner and get a result,”he said.
“It’s a special game because it’s a derby but this is just one of the many games that we are going to play. The objective of the club is to qualify to the next stage of the tournament. Of course, there are bragging rights attached to this match, but it’s not going to give us more than three points if we win it.
“So we are approaching it with that mentality but of course it’s a big match for the club and our boys of whom some of them are going to play in this match for the first time. That is giving them so much excitement and I hope they will put up a good show.”
Caps are also coming into the match high on confidence after overcoming Herentals 2-1 on Wednesday to set the stage for the Big Harare Derby.
“As a team and, personally as the coach, I think the feeling is that we wanted such a positive result, to make sure that we get into the winning groove,” said Caps United coach Darlington Dodo.
“We know what we haven’t been doing right in the previous games — we were conceding in open play.”
Chibuku Super Cup weekend fixtures
Today: Harare City v Herentals (National Sports Stadium, 11am), Manica Diamonds v Black Rhinos (Sakubva Stadium, 1pm), Bulawayo Chiefs v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields Stadium, 3pm).
Tomorrow: Yadah v ZPC Kariba (National Sports Stadium, 11am), Cranborne Bullets v Tenax (Sakubva Stadium, 1pm), Highlanders v Bulawayo City (Barbourfields, 1pm), Caps United v Dynamos (National Sports Stadium, 3pm)
- Follow Henry on Twitter @henrymhara
