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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
AFTER scraping through the first round of the Mbada Diamonds Cup against lowly Tripple B, defending champions Dynamos believe they are prepared to face any side as teams get into the hat again today for the quarter-final draw.
DeMbare team manager, Richard Chihoro, yesterday said the Harare giants have picked some key lessons about how to deal with challenges thrown at them in this tournament.
Callisto Pasuwa’s men needed to summon all their experience to beat Tripple B 1-0 at Gibbo last Sunday courtesy of Clive Kawinga’s late strike to progress to the next stage.
They were joined by rivals Highlanders, CAPS United, Chicken Inn, Buffaloes, Hwange, Harare City and newboys How Mine.
Dynamos are still smarting from their 4-2 defeat in the league to Hwange.
Chihoro said they have put the defeat behind them and will now focus on the identity of the team they will meet in the next round of the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
“We are prepared for any team that we might be drawn against because this is a Cup competition. There is no doubt Cup games are tricky affairs and we will need to be strong,” said Chihoro.
Chicken Inn were the biggest winners in the first round following their comprehensive 3-0 thrashing of Shabanie Mine at Mandava last Saturday.
Highlanders edged Triangle 3-2, in a classic, while How Mine outwitted army side Black Rhinos 1-0 at Barbourfields.
CAPS United and Buffaloes needed a penalty shootout to progress.
Mbada Diamonds Corporate Services Executive, George Manyaya, yesterday said the sponsors were happy with the first round matches at different venues across the country and were hoping for a smooth and successfil tournament.
Supporters paid US$1 for the cheapest ticket in the first round and the sponsors and officials from PSL were set to meet yesterday to agree on venues and gate charges for the next round.
Mbada Diamonds believe that keeping the gate charges at US$1 for the cheapest tickets takes their tournament to the fans.
“The draw is definitely on tomorrow (today) but on the finer details we should have a clearer position after meeting the PSL officials.
“As you know some of them were not around this week as they were in South Africa on business,” said Manyaya.
Dynamos returned from Hwange yesterday and immediately declared that they were not going to let the setback affect their league campaign.
DeMbare are chasing a record 20th title and a third on the trot for Pasuwa.
“The whole team was off-form except probably Ocean Mushure. But I wasn’t impressed by the first goal which I still believe came from a dubious penalty,” said Chihoro.
“As a result we feel let down by some of these decisions which I think influence the course of the match.
“The other goals were genuine, though.
“But we will fight to the end. We will definitely need to pick ourselves up and continue with the marathon.”
Despite their setback, DeMbare still managed to stay top of the table with 41 points.
But competition remained tight at the summit after Highlanders moved into second position following their 2-1 win over FC Platinum.
Bosso slashed the gap between them and leaders Dynamos to a single point as they have now amassed 40 points from 22 outings.
They are level on points with third placed Harare City who played a disappointing 1-1 draw with Luke Masomere’s Shabanie Mine at Rufaro on Wednesday.
Highlanders coach Kevin Kaindu feels the race is still open, with eight games to be played.
Kaindu was pleased by his team’s performance against FC Platinum as he felt the visitors gave them a good run.
Striker Njabulo Ncube scored a brace as Michelle Katsvairo’s late strike for FC Platinum could not impact on the outcome.
“What is important is to pick up maximum points. Despite it being a difficult game especially in the first 20 minutes, we still managed to get ourselves together and scored the goals,” said Kaindu.
Bosso have that home match against Dynamos still to come and Kaindu has said that will play a big part in determining who wins the championship.
The top six teams – Dynamos, Highlanders, Harare City, CAPS United, FC Platinum and Chicken Inn – are still in the race with good chances as only six points separate them.
“Of course, our chances look bright, just like most of the top teams, but it’s still a long way to go. There are 24 points to play for and I feel it’s early to talk about the championship now,” said Kaindu.
Online Reporter