DYNAMOS star midfielder Donald Mudadi is expected to return to the team’s starting 11 in Sunday’s Harare derby clash against Caps United.
The star missed the team’s trip to ZPC Kariba at the weekend through suspension.
The two giants face off in the second semi-final of the Chibuku Super Cup, with the winner set to clash with either Ngezi Platinum Stars or Black Rhinos, who play each other at Bata Stadium in Gweru on Saturday.
Mudadi, who has been the Harare giants’ most outstanding player this term, missed his team’s 1-0 league win over ZPC Kariba at the weekend as he was serving a suspension for the red card accumulated for dissent in the match against Ngezi Platinum Stars last week.
The midfielder, who had a brilliant afternoon before his moment of madness, was initially shown a yellow card for delaying his departure from the field when he was substituted and received further punishment for protesting the decision.
Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe was unable to hide his anger after his star midfielder picked the second booking, with the gaffer also protesting forcefully into the referee’s book.
Thankfully, Mudadi’s absence in Kariba proved to be inexpensive as DeMbare managed to grind a result.
While Mangombe publicly defended Mudadi, sources told this publication that the coach warned his star not to make a habit of getting sent off unnecessarily as his team chases a league and Cup double this season.
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There is no doubt that the former Yadah coach is thrilled to have Mudadi back in the fold for the match although the gaffer has a big decision to make as the midfielder’s replacement has held the fort brilliantly.
The bad news in the Dynamos camp is that defender Elvis Moyo is yet to recover from an injury that kept him out of the team’s last two matches against Ngezi Platinum Stars and ZPC Kariba.
Dynamos will be looking to make it three wins in a row against Caps United on Sunday, having already completed a league double over the Green Machine this season.
But Caps United will be looking to punch back by booting DeMbare out of the country’s only knockout cup competition, whose winner will represent Zimbabwe in next year's Caf Confederations Cup.
Not only that, it is Makepekepe’s only chance of winning some silverware in what has been a difficult season for the Lloyd Chitembwe-coached side, which is still mired in the relegation battle.
Also looking to win their semi-final and keep alive their hopes of a league and cup double is Ngezi Platinum Stars.
The league’s table toppers should be wary of a Black Rhinos side who have punched above their weight in the competition so far.
Ngezi are buoyed going into the clash after beating Yadah at the weekend to retain control of the title race.
Their coach Takesure Chiragwi believes his side are in a good frame of mind going into the Saturday match against the giant slayers.
“We are happy we responded to the Dynamos defeat quickly and got a crucial victory before we play our Chibuku Super Cup. This is a great motivation for us going into that match,” said Chiragwi, whose side needs 11 points from the remaining five league matches to win their first ever league title.
Black Rhinos, who beat Chicken Inn to reach this stage of the competition, also have their confidence high after going for four matches without defeat in the league with two wins and two draws, although they remain second from the bottom on the log table.
Recent history favours Ngezi Platinum Stars in this contest, having beaten Rhinos 1-0 in the league at the start of this month.
The return leg had ended goalless.
Chibuku Super Cup semifinals
Saturday: Black Rhinos v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Bata)
Sunday: Dynamos v Caps United (National Sports Stadium)
