adminMasvingo United at Mucheke on Sunday without their two best players who are away on national duty in Cape Verde.
The Glamour Boys are the only local team who have provided two players to the Warriors who are scheduled to arrive in Cape Verde today for their make-or-break 2012 Nations Cup qualifier.
Goalkeeper Washington Arubi, arguably their best player this season, and returning striker Cuthbert Malajila are with the Warriors while FC Platinum provide defender Daniel Veremu.
Dynamos feel that, given the fact that the league has reached its final phase, all teams should not be disadvantaged, especially those that commit players to a national cause, by being ordered to play matches without their star men.
While the standing resolution is that a team can only force a postponement of its match in the event that it has three or more players away on national business, the DeMbare leadership believe the championship race has reached a crucial stage and special consideration should be applied.
DeMbare felt hard done by last year when the PSL fixtured a key Premiership game between CAPS United and Motor Action, before the Green Machine’s appearance in the BancABC Sup8r Cup final.
The Glamour Boys’ argument was that given that the BancABC Sup8r Cup was the only silverware left for the Green Machine to chase, there was a danger they could not apply themselves fully in the league match against the Mighty Bulls.
DO YOU THINK DYNAMOS’ COMPLAINT IS JUSTIFIED?
And, as it turned out, Motor Action romped to a 4-2 win and eventually grabbed their maiden league title on goal difference.
Dynamos chairman Kenny Mubaiwa revealed to The Herald yesterday that they had tried, without success, to convince the PSL leadership to suspend all the league matches this weekend so that all clubs can fight on level ground when their key players return from national duty.
“We have tried but they have insisted that we have to play but we clearly feel that this is very unfair on us because we felt that the PSL will be considerate given that the race has reached a sensitive stage,” said Mubaiwa.
Interestingly the Absa Premiership in South Africa has been inactive, since last Wednesday, to give way for Bafana Bafana’s Nations Cup tie against Sierra Leone while all the major leagues in Europe will freeze this weekend because of international commitments.
Ironically, the domestic Premiership has suspended its programmes, for all the Warriors’ five 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers – whether at home or away – until its change of heart to push for the games to be played this weekend.
PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said they could not break since there were few players who ply their trade in the domestic league were in the national team.
“The games are on as scheduled because this is an away game and there are only few locally-based players who are in the Warriors’ squad,” said Ndebele.
Dynamos assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya yesterday said the Glamour Boys will have to soldier on without the duo.
“We will miss our players but life has to go on. We have a mission and I am confident that the other guys will fit perfectly into the system. We just need a good preparation.
“Mucheke has always been a difficult venue for us and the fact that Masvingo are among the bottom teams makes them dangerous.
“But judging by the way we have been going about our business, I think we should be equal to the task,” said Ndiraya.
FC Platinum host lowly Black Mambas at Mandava on Saturday seeking to consolidate their place at the top.
Platinum shot to the top after beating Blue Ribbon last Sunday but they face real threats from Dynamos and Motor Action in the title race.
The Mighty Bulls host Blue Ribbon at Motor Action Sports Club.
CAPS United striker Evans Gwekwerere is upbeat about Makepekepe’s revival as they head to Bulawayo this week for a cagey assignment against Chicken Inn at Luveve on Saturday.
The Green Machine are coming from a morale-boosting win over champions Motor Action and are on course for a top eight finish in the league race following a run of good results in the league of late.
Gwekwerere, who is the club’s joint top goal scorer with Pride Tafirenyika on eight goals, yesterday said the Green Machine was determined to recover from the disappointments they faced during the middle season.
Gwekwerere, however, revealed that he might travel to South Africa for trials at Orlando Pirates this week.
“We are ready for Chicken Inn. I hope I should be there to play my part because it appears I might to go back to Pirates this week.
“I am not sure about the arrangements but it could be any time because I have been told to make myself ready.
“I was there last month but I could not get the chance to train with them because they were preparing for two important matches, said Gwekwerere.
Fixtures
Saturday
Monomotapa v Zimbabwe Saints (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Black Mambas (Mandava), Motor Action v Blue Ribbon (Motor Action), Chicken Inn v CAPS United (Luveve)
Sunday
Highlanders v Shooting Stars (Barbourfields), Masvingo United v Dynamos (Mucheke), Hwange v Shabanie Mine (Colliery), Kiglon v Gunners (Rufaro).
Online Reporter