adminAugustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
BUFFALOES coach Timothy Masachi is concerned about the inside knowledge that CAPS United assistant coach Saul Chaminuka has about his team ahead of their Castle Lager Premiership clash at Sakubva tomorrow.
Chaminuka spent two seasons at the Mutare-based army side before he joined CAPS United in June this season while Masachi was elevated to head the technical department at Buffaloes.
Now Chaminuka will be facing his former team for the first time, since they parted ways, when they meet at Sakubva.
During the first meeting in the reverse fixture, Farai Banda struck the priceless goal that gave Buffaloes the three points at Rufaro and now CAPS are on a revenge mission.
Masachi said he has a lot of respect for CAPS United and believes Chaminuka could be the one to make the difference. “Chaminuka is a brother to us at Buffaloes.
He spent nearly two seasons working with us and knows a lot about our team. “It’s going to be tricky because Saul knows a lot about us and he will try to counter – attack us,” said Masachi. Buffaloes are wounded after they lost 2-1 to title – chasing Harare City in their last game while CAPS United edged How Mine in a dress rehearsal of the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
“We do not have as much information on CAPS United as they have on us through Chaminuka but we should try to counter attack them if given the chance,” said Masachi.
Striker Lloyd Katongomara is ineligible for this game after picking three yellow cards while Admire Dzumbunu is injured.
“Katongomara is suspended while Dzumbunu has an injury on his hip and we hope to get able replacements,” said Masachi.
Buffaloes are lying ninth on the log with 35 points and Masachi said they are still not safe from relegation.
“We are not yet safe from relegation and have to get at least two wins from the last four games.
“At the moment we have 35 points and need to go above 40. Competition this season had been very tight, if we look at teams chasing the title and even at the bottom.
“We need to win this game against CAPS United,” said Masachi. CAPS United are walking with a spring in their step after beating How Mine last week and their acting team manager Gideon Mubayi wants his players to stay focused as the still have a mathematical chance of winning the league.
“The win over How Mine shows that we are determined to challenge for the title until the last game, although people have ruled us out. “In the first meeting, we lost to Buffaloes after conceding from a free – kick and now the man who plotted our downfall is in our camp,” said Mubayi.
CAPS United could once again be tempted to us the majority of the players who did duty against How Mine last week.
Ronald Pfumbidzai is a doubtful starter as he is battling an ankle injury while Moses Muchenje is now fit to take his place in the team.
Harare City, who are are tied at the top of the log on 48 points with Dynamos, need to win to keep their dream alive while Black Rhinos are in the relegation zone and desperately want three points to ease their worries.
The two teams clash at Rimuka tomorrow. At Luveve, Chicken Inn host FC Platinum who also have a chance of winning the league championship if results in other matches go their way.
Online Reporter