Can DeMbare pass Colliery test?

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS utility man Thomas Magorimbo says the Harare giants face a real test of character this afternoon when they travel to Hwange for a Castle Lager Premiership clash at the Colliery.
Magorimbo, who is also one of the co-captains at the club, yesterday tipped the Glamour Boys to get maximum points at the Colliery but warned that Hwange will not be easy to beat on their turf.

The two teams have met with contrasting fortunes this year.
While DeMbare are seeking to strengthen their position at the top of the table in pursuit of a record 20th league title, Hwange are fighting for every point available in their last eight games to move clear of the relegation zone.

But DeMbare will always testify that they have been poor travellers in the league competition this season and will be praying for the weather conditions to remain favourable.

Dynamos won the first leg 2-0 at Rufaro courtesy of goals from Washington Pakamisa and Farai Mupasiri in May and Magorimbo yesterday said they wanted to complete a double over the hosts who in the past have given them all sorts of problems.

Last year Dynamos were 2-0 victors there and had also collected seven points at the Colliery the previous three seasons since Hwange bounced back to top-flight football in 2009.

Hwange are currently not safe from the chop as they are deep in the relegation puzzle with 22 points and sitting among the bottom five.
However, the coal-miners will go into the match high on confidence following their 1-0 triumph over FC Platinum at the weekend which gave them passage to the quarter-finals of the Mbada Diamonds Cup as the only unseeded team to succeed from the weekend games.
“Hwange are a good team, especially when playing at their backyard. They had enough time to prepare for us while we were on the road during the weekend, which is an added advantage for them.

“So, it means we will find them at their best,” said Magorimbo.
Hwange coach Nation Dube is quite aware of the task on his hands and will be hoping that his players build on their Mbada Diamonds success at the weekend.

Hwange have a strong squad with a number of veterans in the mould of Farayi Vimisayi, Gerald Ndlovu, David Boriwondo, Gilbert Zulu, Isaac Masame and exciting youngsters like Tafara Chese and Oscar Lungu.

DeMbare are currently top of the table with 41 points, two better than Harare City who host Shabanie Mine at Rufaro this afternoon.
The other championship contenders Highlanders and FC Platinum will be cancelling out each other at Barbourfields this afternoon.
DeMbare coach Callisto Pasuwa’s options have been boosted by a clean bill of health in his camp and will be looking to rotate his players to avoid burn out as they have a difficult schedule ahead of them.

Magorimbo believes they have a realistic chance of landing a third title in succession under Pasuwa but they need to be cautious ahead of trips to Highlanders, Chicken Inn, Triangle and FC Platinum in their remaining away assignments.

“We are about to get there now but we haven’t got our hands on it yet. So we have to keep working hard since the competition is tight at the top.

“If there was a time we needed concentration, it is now. We need to play as a team and try to keep focused,” said Magorimbo.
Dynamos will fly out to Victoria Falls this morning without defender Partson Jaure and midfielder Russel Madamombe who are both suspended after accumulating three yellow cards apiece in previous assignments.

The Harare giants, who had a hectic itinerary after travelling to Chiredzi at the weekend for the Mbada Diamonds Cup first round match, are expected to complete the remaining distance of about 100km by road.

Besides the unavailability of the duo of Jaure and Madamombe, team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday said they were not likely to make major changes to the squad that went to Gibbo.

DeMbare had 19 players in camp during the Mbada Diamonds assignment against Tripple B in Chiredzi and the coaches were yesterday expected to make an addition to cover the gap.

The Harare giants returned home on Monday afternoon.
They had a single training yesterday morning and decided to give their players more time to rest ahead of the 8am flight this morning.
Chihoro said they were ready to face Hwange.

“We should be leaving at 8am and in an hour’s time we should have arrived in Victoria Falls. We are okay with the fixtures and our travelling.

“Probably our main worry when playing away has been the manner these games are being handled by the match officials.
“We are not happy at all with some of the decisions because it now seems like there’s an agenda against us. Fairness is needed in football because it’s just a game after all,” said Chihoro.