The Sunday Mail
From Chipo Sabeta in LUSAKA Zambia
HARARE CITY will come out with all guns blazing when they face Zanaco of Zambia in Caf Confederations Cup first round second leg tie seeking to overturn a 1-2 deficit.
However, their coach Taurai Mangwiro insists his team will not be reckless as they go in search of the result they need at Nkoloma Stadium.
Kick-off is 3pm.
“We are here to win and obviously we want a goal as early as possible,” said Mangwiro.
“By half time we should have something in our bag and that can surely change the complexion of the game.
“Conceding a goal will certainly force them to change their game plan.
“In the first leg, we didn’t take much of the game to them but we are trying at all cost to force a more attacking play and breach their defence.”
The fluid attacking midfield trio of Raphael Manuvire, Ronald Chitiyo and William Manondo are expected to play flexible and interchangeable roles as Harare City seek to unlock a stubborn Zanaco defence.
Mangwiro explained the thinking behind the game plan.
“This approach makes the most practical sense to implement when are facing an opposition who are expected to sit back and invite attacks. These are the guys I am expecting to carry the game whilst Honey Chimutimunzeve will play as a lone striker. Manuvire will play a free role whilst Manondo and Chitiyo will interchange wing play.”
Zanaco had the best defence in the Zambian Super League for 2015, conceding 20 goals in 30 games.
The Lusaka-based side only lost one game at home against Zesco United (0-1) and two games away against National Assembly (2-3) and Power Dynamos (0-1).
“We give Zanaco the respect they deserve but at the same time we believe in ourselves. From the first leg we noticed that their defenders were losing concentration and they don’t have pace. We also picked that they tire in the second half and that is why we have players like Martin Vengesai and Tanaka Ruzvidzo on the bench,” said Mangwiro.
The City gaffer has given Blessing Moyo the nod at right-back ahead of Munyaradzi Diro, while Raymond Uchena makes way for Crispen Dickson.
“It’s a totally a changed team,” he said. “We want a more attacking team hence I have sacrificed Munyaradzi Diro for Blessing Moyo. Moyo is offensive and can take the game forward much more than Munya.
“Blessing will start and we hope he will give us value from free kicks and other dead ball situations. We just need that groove from the back going upfront.
“We had three defensive midfielders in Harare but in this match Farai Madhananga will start at left-back. James Jam and Tendai Samanja will play as twin defensive midfielders because these guys must not be given any room to play in our half.
“Uchena had a good game at home but we have decided to field Dickson to cover on aerial balls at the heart of the defence.
“Kuda Kumwala struggled in the first leg and we have just decided to give Honey Chimutimunzeve a chance to do duty for us.”
Harare City
Tafadzwa Dube, Crispen Dickson, Blessing Moyo, Themba Ndlovu, Farai Madhananga, Tendai Samanja, James Jam, Ronald Chitiyo, Raphael Manuvire, William Manondo, Honey Chimutimunzeve
