adminAugustine Hwata Sports Reporter
CAPS United midfielder Tendai Samanja believes that playing in the Mbada Diamonds Cup final will be one of the milestones in his football career this year, but before he can dream of that, he has to help the Green Machine navigate past Motor Action at Sakubva this afternoon.In a repeat of the draw last year, CAPS United have been paired against the Mighty Bulls. In last year’s competition, a strike by Hardlife Zvirekwi gave Makepekepe the passage into the quarter-final from Trojan.
CAPS United then dismissed Buffaloes 2-0 in the quarter-finals but came unstuck against city rivals Dynamos, who thumped them 3-0 at Rufaro in the semis.
In 2011, CAPS United had been bundled out of the competition at the first hurdle when they lost 1-0 to Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium.
Now the dread-locked Samanja is at least aiming to play in the final and he is ready to face struggling Motor Action in today’s assignment.
“My wish is to play and reach the final of the competition. I am not looking at any of the individual awards and if at all they come my way, then that will be a bonus.
“We have to work as a team first and get the results,” said Samanja.
Last week CAPS United players boycotted training over outstanding bonuses but the issue has since been partly settled as preparations went on well during this week.
Mbada Diamonds are giving each player US$100 as an appearance fee while the player who scores the fastest goal will be rewarded and another US$500 is dangled for the man-of-the-match at each game.
“Everything we do, we should operate as a team and achieve our goals. The temperatures are getting high now but we have to adjust as players.
“We have played in other countries and the heat was more intense than what we are experiencing but we managed to play,” said Samanja.
Motor Action have caused all sorts of problems for CAPS United in their previous meeting and Samanja, a former Monomotapa player, said they should never under-estimate the threat posed.
“This is going to be a tricky match. Motor Action are at the bottom of the log but at the same time they have nothing to lose in this game.
“So it could be a tough challenge for us and we cannot take them lightly,” said Samanja.
The CAPS United coach is expected to field Tafadzwa Dube in goal while Ronald Pfumbidzai could play in left-back with Tapiwa Khumbuyani operating on the right.
Tawanda “Rambo” Munyanduri could partner Stephen Makatuka in the heart of defence as Samanja, Zvirekwi and Dominic Chungwa search for goals.
However, Motor Action acting technical manager Prince Matore is hoping that they should not lose to the same opponents twice at the same stage.
Matore has assumed control of the Mighty Bulls dressing room after Joey Antipas threw in the towel as results were not coming his way.
Before leaving the sinking ship, Antipas had recruited a crop of youngsters from Aces Youth Soccer Academy. A former Motor Action captain, Matore said he had been trying to psyche the players on the expectations of playing in a major knock-out cup competition.
“These are new guys in the team and we have been talking to them on what to expect.
“Playing in the Mbada Diamonds Cup is going to be a new experience for some of our players,” said Matore.
In their last league match, Motor Action escaped with a vital point from Shabanie after a 1-1 draw and it marked the first time in over 10 matches that they had managed to find the target.
“We have been creating some chances but could not utilise them,” said Matore.
Motor Action have a solid defence marshalled by captain Passmore Benard while veteran Douglas Walaza, former Gaths Mine player Collin Kurwa and Godfrey Moyo provide cover for goalkeeper Itai Chiwara.
Utility player Edward Tembo and ageless Marlon Jani are some of the players who have used Sakubva as their home ground when Motor Action adopted the venue in 2004.
“I think it’s only Edward and Jani who are still part of the team that used to play at Sakubva but I just hope that the fans in Mutare have not forgotten us.
“We need to get a good fighting spirit in this game,” said Matore.
Online Reporter