It’s DeMbare versus DeMbare Lite at Wadzanai

Langton Nyakwenda

A TENSION-FILLED match is expected at Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva this afternoon as ambitious side Simba Bhora host Dynamos in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match.

Some have dubbed the match a case of DeMbare versus DeMbare Lite.

Simba Bhora is considered DeMbare Lite because the Shamva-based side’s core is made up of former Dynamos players and officials.

Simba Bhora chairperson Isaiah Mupfurutsa occupied the same post at Dynamos before moving to Shamva, while the team’s coach Tonderai Ndiraya was leading Dynamos before he was unceremoniously kicked out at the end of the 2022 season.

Players like goalkeepers Simba Chinani and Taimon Mvula, defenders Partson Jaure and Blessing Moyo, together with midfielder Junior Makunike, are some of those who have left Dynamos for Simba Bhora over the last two seasons.

But the odds are in DeMbare Lite’s favour this afternoon, as they start as favourites.

The hosts occupied third place after Week 5, three points behind leaders Highlanders, while Dynamos are four points back in eighth place.

What brings tension in the encounter is that both camps have scores to settle, especially the former Dynamos crew now at Simba Bhora.

Slowly, Ndiraya is building what could be a force to reckon with in the local Premiership.

With the other players like Walter Musona, Perfect Chikwende, Tymon Machope, Webster Tafa, Billy Veremu, Malvin Mkolo and Mtokhozisi Msebe, “Go Buju Go” have one of the most powerful squads in the top-flight.

Ndiraya is predicting a “very tough” contest this afternoon.

“I think we have done commendably well in our opening five matches. But that is all gone. We are now focusing on our next task, which is against Dynamos. It’s going to be tough, but we will be ready for them,” he said.

Dynamos’ stand-in captain Emmanuel Jalai admits they have had a disastrous start to a season that promised a lot during the off-season.

“We didn’t start the way we wanted, but it’s football after all,” Jalai said.

“We have to pick ourselves up and embrace for the coming game (against Simba Bhora), which is not going to be an easy game, looking at the quality they’ve and also their recent form.

“But well, we’re Dynamos, we’ve to do our best to get the points.”

Jalai has had an outstanding start to the 2024 season. The 25-year-old right-back, who has over 100 caps for DeMbare, has been wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of Frank Makarati and the Aces Academy product has been shining.

After missing out on last season’s Soccer Stars calendar, the down-to-earth Jalai has picked up from where he left off and has been one of the best players in the top-flight’s opening five rounds.

Jalai got his first Warriors call-up during the March international break, but was an unused substitute in the four-nation friendly tournament that was won by Kenya in Malawi.

“Football is a process. As a person, you’ll have your own pace you want things to move, but Allah’s time is always the best,” he said.

“I just want to be better than l was in the previous seasons, and for that to happen, it requires hard work and dedication.”

Elsewhere today, CAPS United will start as favourites against ZPC Kariba at Rufaro Stadium.

The Harare giants have to make up for the ugly scenes at Mandava Stadium, where the match against FC Platinum was abandoned after 86 minutes. This was after Makepekepe fans invaded the pitch.

They objected to a call by match officials to rule out Rodwell Chinyengetere’s effort for offside.

CAPS United have since been summoned to appear before the PSL Disciplinary Committee next week to account for their unwarranted actions. Given that CAPS United have already publicly condemned the behaviour of their fans, their forfeiture of the game could now be a mere formality and that will make it three defeats in five games.

CAPS United beat newcomers Arenel Movers 3-1 in their last encounter at Rufaro Stadium and will be out to try and do it again against ZPC Kariba this afternoon.

Arenel Movers will be hoping to become the first team to beat FC Platinum this season when they host the former champions at Luveve Stadium.

To conclude the programme, two of the bottom three teams after Week 5 will clash at the Colliery Stadium as Hwange entertain newcomers Chegutu Pirates.

Chegutu Pirates suffered their heaviest Premiership defeat to date last weekend when they lost 3-0 against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium.

Fixtures Today

Simba Bhora v Dynamos (Wadzanai), Chegutu Pirates v Hwange (Baobab), CAPS Utd v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), Arenel Movers v FC Platinum (Luveve)