DeMbare date Black Mambas

Their quest for domestic dominance starts with a match against Black Mambas at Morris Depot.
On paper it appears a relatively easy task and the champions have never lost a match against the police side since they returned to the top-flight league.

And the DeMbare camp, which is still recovering from a bruising 0-3 defeat at the hands of Tunisian side Club Bizertin in the Champions League, believe they can roar again to defend their crown on the domestic front.

“It would be a difficult season for us, we have been champions two times in a row and all the teams are obviously prepared to beat us to the title as they wouldn’t want us to win it three times back-to-back,” said Murape.

“At the same time it would be good, and rare for us, to win, including the Mbada Diamonds Cup, so starting from tomorrow (today) we have to send a statement that we are not backing down.
“And a win in this match will make it easy for us in the Monday game against Chicken Inn.”

The veteran midfielder feels there are no more easy game for them.
“It is not going to be easy but our attitude counts and we have to show intention from the word go,” said Murape.
“We have good new players and a lot is expected from them, together with the old players, and we have to show unity.

“Our 50th anniversary, we want it to be special by winning a third title.”
The skipper says that they want to do well in these Easter Games so that they are fully prepared for the second leg tie against the Tunisian champions.
“We lost in Tunisia but we can’t keep focusing on the negatives.

Now we are focusing on the  league but at the back of our minds we have that game in mind.
So we will need to score goals and win so that we are really prepared come next week,” said Murape.
The champions welcome some of the players who came on board during the off-season.

These include Allan Tavarwisa and Patrick Khumbula who have not been competing in the African Safari but are eligible to feature in the domestic league.
Black Mambas coach, John “Toto” Ncube, is optimistic that tables will be turned on a Good Friday and they may snatch a first win against the champions.
“We have been working hard during the pre-season where we played a lot of friendly matches against Division One teams,” said Ncube.

“We haven’t beaten DeMbare but tomorrow it is a Good Friday and would be a good day for Mambas, there is always a first time.
“Every season, we have started on a bad note, especially in the first 15 matches, but this season we want to make things right.”

The police side haven’t been very active on the market and only added goalkeeper Ronald Mudimu, former Hardbody midfielder Nhlanhla Ncube, ex-Blue Rangers defender Paul Marazanyi while defender Luckson Kaisa, who had poor stint at CAPS United last year, makes a return to the club.
Elsewhere, Premiership newcomers Triangle will start their top-flight journey with an away match at Chicken Inn at Luveve.

With a number of players who have played in the Premiership in their fold, Triangle aren’t entirely the new kids on the bloc.
The team has the former Dynamos duo William Mapfumo and Leo Kurauzvione, Daniel Kamunenga, Tinei Meda and Pascal Manhanga in their ranks.
Coach Gishon Ntini believes their opening match would be a tough encounter.

“It is going to be a tough game considering we are coming from the lower division.
“We need to be at our best and we are going there to fight and collect points,” said Ntini.

“Our preparations were a little better but we will cope as the season progresses. We didn’t make a lot of changes to our team which won promotion. We just want to survive relegation, that is our task and it is an achievable task,” said Ntini.

Fixtures
Today: Black Mambas v Dynamos (Morris Depot), Black Rhinos v Monomotapa (Rufaro*), Shabanie v Highlanders (Maglas), Chicken Inn v Triangle (Luveve), Buffaloes v FC Platinum (Sakubva).
Sunday: CAPS United v Motor Action (Rufaro*).
Monday: Triangle v Shabanie (Gibbo), Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro*), Tripple B v Black Mambas (Dulibadzimu), Hwange v Black Rhinos (Colliery), Highlanders v Harare City (BF), Monomotapa v Buffaloes (Gwanzura), FC Platinum v How Mine (Mandava).
*Live on SuperSport.