Defence Forces seek to retain trophy

Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE’S Defence Forces team will be be seeking to hold on to their title when they host their counterparts from Tanzania in a Defence Forces Trophy match at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.The ZDF select team have ensured they dominate over visiting sides in this comeptition.

Last year, the hosts won 3-0 against neighbours Zambia courtesy of a brace from veteran striker Lazarus Muhoni and a goal from Victor  Bandura.
This afternoon, they will square off against the East Africans opponents, who arrived in the country on Saturday for the trophy which also carries a prize- money.

For winning the Defence Forces trophy last year, Zimbabwe select team got US$6 000.
Zimbabwe select team coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera said he is ready for the afternoon’s encounter.

Saruchera has selected players from the national army’s two Premiership sides — Black Rhinos and Buffaloes.
The former Black Rhinos coach also picked players from Division One sides Chapungu and Commando Bullets.

Saruchera’s soldiers have been in camp since Friday and yesterday the coach said he was satisfied with the progress that his team has made.
“It is a very good team. It is also balanced as it has young players as well as the experienced. We are looking forward to a good match. We played them (Tanzania) last year in Mozambique in our army games and we beat them 2-0.

“But l understand that they have improved a lot and it should be a tough match,” said Saruchera.
Saruchera is now the director of coaching for all the army teams following his sacking by Black Rhinos after just eight games.

The coach also revealed that he had decided to leave out some of the ZDF’s old horses when he assmebled his squad for today’s game.
Players such as Brighton Chandisaita, Britto Gwere and Muhoni will not be part of the team.

The bulk of the players are from former Premiership side Chapungu and Black Rhinos while Buffaloes have only contributed two players, goalkeeper Hope Bere and Vincent Makaha.

The army sides are doing relatively well in the Premiership especially the Mutare-based side Buffaloes.
Buffaloes, now under Timothy Masachi are seventh on the log table.

Saruchera’s former side Rhinos have however continued to struggle with Arthur Tutani’s men still just third from the bottom with18 points from as many games.
But former Premiership side Chapungu are on top of the Zifa Central Region Division One while Commando Bullets are in the mid-table of the Northern Region league.

ZDF Squad:
Hope Bere, Vincent Makaha (Buffaloes), Samuel Mafukidze, Obey Gada, Walter Masenda, Lloyd Nyamadzawo, Kelvin Chiripawako, Eric Manokore (Black Rhinos), Raymond Malikwa, Elton Fiyado, Ibra Kanjere (Commando Bullets), Martin Mpofu, Bernard Gumbo, Pascal Shonhai, Courage Mazere, Mine Kavinga, Kuda Sibanda (Chapungu).