DeMbare Psyche up for Derby

Langton Nyakwenda
CHAMPIONS Dynamos psyche up for next weekend’s Harare derby with a date against struggling Black Rhinos at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
DeMbare’s duel with Chauya Chipembere comes a week before they resume their rivalry with bitter city foes Caps United.

The champions would want a perfect build-up to next Sunday’s massive clash.

On 23 points, one less than log leaders Highlanders, who meet How Mine in a Bulawayo derby, DeMbare strongly believe they can clinch a record-equalling fourth consecutive league title this season.

Black Rhinos have traditionally been a tricky customer for the champions since 2001 when they recorded their first win over DeMbare in 16 years.

However, recent statistics favour the Glamour Boys. Dynamos have not lost or conceded a goal against Rhinos since May 20 2007 when the army side thumped them 3-1.

Black Rhinos, whose strike force is fronted by the unheralded Lincoln Saramaya, have the worst goal return in the league, having found the net just seven times 1 170 minutes of action.

Their coach, Arthur Tutani, is banking on his defence to restrict an almost equally blunt DeMbare frontline.

On the other hand, DeMbare’s back four is the Premiership’s meanest rearguard, having conceded only six goals in 13 matches.

Dynamos have so far registered five 1-0 wins and only twice have they scored two goals or more, beating both Bantu Rovers and Harare City by an identical 3-1 scoreline.

They still cannot use new import Fabrice Mbimba as the ex-Zanaco striker’s work permit is still to be processed.
The Congolese will also most likely miss the Harare derby, too.

Assistant coach Tichaona Diya maintains they will not let the looming Harare derby affect their focus ahead of the Rhinos match.

“We have to play Rhinos first before we face Caps and at this stage consistency is key. We need to take it one game at a time.

“The championship race is getting tighter and we have to win all our home games, but nothing can be taken for granted,” he said.

DeMbare are without the injured duo of striker Simba Sithole and the creative Tafadzwa Rusike, while central midfielder Walter Mukanga was down with flu for the better part of the week.

Black Rhinos are winless in their last three matches, the latest defeat being a 1-3 drubbing at the hands of Highlanders last weekend.

Tutani is a worried man!
“Playing the defending champions is tough, especially at this juncture when Dynamos are eyeing a return to the top of the log.

“We have to adopt a very cautious approach, be compact at the back and hopefully we can restrict their strikers.”

The duo of Warriors trialist Lot Chiwunga and utility player Bruce Homora are doubtful, leaving former DeMbare hitman Philip Marufu as Tutani’s trump card.

Fixtures:
Today: Shabanie Mine v Buffaloes (Maglas), How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Black Rhinos (NSS).

Tomorrow: Bantu Rovers v Triangle United (Luveve).