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Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
HWANGE Football Club head coach Nation Dube reckons that the Dynamos faithful that is expected to throng Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon in its numbers will not intimidate them when the two teams clash in a potentially exciting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie.
The coalminers, who will be seeking to avenge their first round 1-0 defeat were last week beaten 2-1 by Chicken Inn FC in Bulawayo. They do not look safe from the dreaded chop and the sooner they start picking up points the better.
On the other hand, DeMbare, who recently adopted Emagumeni as their home ground owing to a venue crisis in Harare, are obviously bubbling with confidence after they drubbed Prophet Walter Magaya’s Yadah Stars FC 5-1 in their last encounter played at Barbourfields Stadium.
“We know that Dynamos fans will come in their numbers. We are actually happy about that because they will also be coming to watch us in action. We can actually make them change their hearts. We will not be intimidated by their fans’ presence. This will be like any other PSL game. We are not coming to settle any scores with Dynamos but it will be a different ball game together,” said Dube.
He added that while they could not manage to spy on Dynamos last weekend, they will bank on solidifying their strengths.
“We didn’t manage to watch them when they played Yadah last Sunday as we headed to Hwange early in the morning, a day after our game with Chicken Inn. We always plan our games according to our strengths which we will need to solidify when we face Dynamos. We will see their game plan and also map the way forward,” said Dube.
The Chipangano camp has no one in the treatment room which gives them a boost as they are set to meet a club that has in its last six games won four, drawn one and lost once. With all the decent work he has done at the blue half of the capital, DeMbare coach Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa has reportedly been told to win the next five games or face the boot.
DeMbare are on 28 points, eight ahead of Chipangano who have two draws, the same number of defeats and one triumph in their last five games. Maruwa, who guided DeMbare to a 1-0 triumph over the coal miners in the first leg tie, has been impressed by their ever growing backing in Bulawayo.
“We are competing well and the support we have been getting in Bulawayo is pleasing. It has helped us as we seek to continue doing well,” said Maruwa who will miss the services of Kevin Moyo due to suspension.
The Glamour Boys are set to welcome the club’s fans favourite, Denver Mukamba, who when on song, can change the complexion of the game.
Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League has acceded to Dynamos FC’s request to raise gate charges for today’s championship clash with Hwange FC. The Harare side which is using Barbourfields Stadium as its home ground requested that charges be raised from US$2 to US$3. Charges for the wings have been kept at US$5 and double that for the VIP end.
“We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 3 August 2023 and confirm that permission to increase rest of ground gate charges to US$3 for the above match has been granted. Wings and VIP shall remain US$5 and US$10 respectively,” wrote PSL in their response to DeMbare.
Dynamos chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze said they were forced to seek an increase because of high operational costs.
“We have transport and accommodation to factor in. Hence we are appealing to our fans and the soccer public to bear with us and also to come in their numbers,” said Mashingaidze.
In other Week 18 fixtures that will be played this afternoon Jairos Tapera’s Manica Diamonds will fight out against former Cup Kings Caps United at Gibbo Stadium. Zvishavane’s Mandava Stadium will be the venue for the game between Herentals College and Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda mentored Triangle United. Today’s fixtures
Manica Diamonds v Caps United (Gibbo), Herentals v Triangle (Mandava), Dynamos v Hwange (Barbourfields). — @FungaiMuderere.
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