The Sunday Mail
TURBULENT Premiership champions Dynamos have put some make up on the ugly cracks that saw players boycotting training for most of last week as they focus to today’s Chibuku Super Cup first round clash against a tricky Black Rhinos side at Gwanzura Stadium.
DeMbare had a morning workout at the match venue yesterday, their first in a week, with the team’s officials and players declaring themselves ready to face Chauya Chipembere.
Although team manager Richard Chihoro was not his usual jovial and confident self, he insisted the Dynamos players will temporarily forget their long list of grievances and focus on the job at hand.
“The match is on tomorrow (today). The players have resolved to play and have their issues addressed at a later stage because obviously when we play we want to win and this match is no exception,” said Chihoro, who would not be drawn into commenting further.
Despite DeMbare coming into the tie on the back of serious upheavals in their camp, Kallisto Pasuwa’s men, who dismissed Highlanders 1-0 in a league encounter last weekend, will start as favourites.
Black Rhinos coach Jostein Mathuthu, whose arrival has rejuvenated the army side, insists Dynamos “know what they are doing.”
“I don’t believe they are on strike, they are a very big institution. They know what they are doing and why they are doing it.
“Reports like the ones that have characterised their camp in the run-up to this match usually precede a good run of form for them. So, I think there is something they are fixing under the guise of a strike,” said Mathuthu.
Mathuthu added that his charges will take some lessons from the 0-0 draw the two sides settled for in the league in week 17, before they went on to stun fancied Highlanders 1-0 on match-day 18.
“People must not think we were too happy drawing with them in the league, because we know we could have easily won that match. But that is all in the past and we are now fancying our chances in the cup match,” he said.
The much-travelled gaffer went on to declare that his charges are well prepared for the “herculean challenge” that will confront them at Gwanzura.
Besides Douglas Mbewe, who will miss the tie through suspension, Mathuthu has the pleasure to call on a full strength squad, with linkman Wonder Kapinda, Brian Muzondiwa and the resurgent Lot Chiunga all ready to face Dynamos.
Unheralded Nesbert Padzarondora and Lincoln Saramaya are some of the surprise packets that can tilt the pendulum in Rhinos’ favour.
Fixtures:
Dynamos vs Black Rhinos (Gwanzura), Highlanders vs Shabanie Mine (Ascot), Hwange vs Triangle United (Colliery), Buffaloes vs Chiredzi (Sakubva), How Mine vs Chicken Inn (Mandava).
