adminthis afternoon.
The DeMbare camp are still in high spirits following the 1-0 win over bitter rivals CAPS United last Sunday, which made them the only team to remain unbeaten in the league after 10 games.
Muparati said it was very encouraging for them to have won their last three games in a row over Monomotapa, Hwange and CAPS United and wants his team to continue that good run.
But he knows that Harare City have the capacity to end their fine run.
“Harare City are not an easy team to face. The last time we played them we had big problems and they beat us in one of the matches,” said Muparati.
“So we need maximum concentration and also to be at our best because it appears every match that we play is always a pressure game.
“The good thing is that the morale is high on our side after the weekend win. But that game against CAPS United is no gone and we have to focus on this assignment.
“I would like to urge our supporters to continue with the positive spirit. They have been behind us despite our slow start this year and we need to reciprocate by giving them good results that would cheer them up.”
The Glamour Boys upped their preparations yesterday but they were still assessing injuries to striker Francesco Zekumbawira and midfielder Stephen Alimenda.
Coach Callisto Pasuwa is not likely to make major changes to the team that beat CAPS United at the weekend but they will have to contend with the pace of the City players who have given a good account so far.
DeMbare are currently fourth on the log table with 18 points while City are just one rung down with 17 points although they look to claim maximum points from their abandoned match against Shabanie Mine.
City were leading 3-1 when the match at Maglas was abandoned after 81 minutes following a wave of violence by the home team’s supporters.
The matter is set to be determined by the PSL Disciplinary Committee.
Harare City coach, Bigboy Mawiwi, yesterday gave a strong indication that the Sunshine Boys, who are enjoying a purple patch, were ready to spoil the mood in the DeMbare camp.
Mawiwi is one of the few coaches who have managed to beat Callisto Pasuwa since he became coach of DeMbare and the other two, Taurai Mangwiro and Ralph Kawondera, also have connections with the Glamour Boys.
Only the late Adam Ndlovu was the odd coach out, among those who have beaten Pasuwa, as his roots were at Highlanders.
Just like Dynamos, City have not lost a match at Rufaro this year as they won three and drawn one of their four assignments on the artificial turf.
To demonstrate their strength, Mawiwi’s side have accounted for some of the city’s big guns like CAPS United, whom they beat 1-0 in the first match of the season, with their biggest win being the 4-0 thumping of Motor Action away at Callies.
Last Friday’s 2-0 win over Triangle meant they have in essence won all their last four games with former Monomotapa striker Osbourne Mukuradare leading their charge with six goals to his credit.
City also have former DeMbare players Martin Vengesayi and midfielder Nathan Ziwini in their arsenal.
Mawiwi, a former Dynamos coach, however does not expect to get points on a silver platter.
“This is going to be a tough game. Remember Dynamos are still unbeaten in the league and taking into consideration that they are the defending champions, we should give them the respect they deserve.
“But that doesn’t mean we are afraid of them. We are not,” said Mawiwi.
Former DeMbare fullback, David Kutyauripo, will not play against his former teammates due to injury while the club’s 2012 Players’ Player of the Year Edgar Tapera’s chances are also slim.
“The boys are happy, motivated and ready for the game except for our defenders Edgar Tapera and David Kutyauripo who are injured. Tapera is on the mend but Kutyauripo is out.
“We are going to be positive because we want the points. We have been playing well of late but each game has its unique challenges.
“As a team we are still working hard on consistency. We would need to be more consistent in winning games so that at the end of the year we finish on a respective position,” said Mawiwi.
Today:
Dynamos v Harare City (Rufaro), Triangle v Motor Action (Gibbo), FC Platinum v Hwange (Mandava), Black Mambas v How Mine (Morris Depot), Chicken Inn v Buffaloes (Luveve)
Tomorrow: Monoz v Highlanders (Rufaro), Tripple B v CAPS United (Mandava)
Week 12
Saturday: How Mine v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields), Black Rhinos v Triangle (T.B.A), Motor Action v Dynamos (Rufaro)
Sunday: Highlanders v Black Mambas (Barbourfields), Buffaloes v Shabanie (Sakubva), Hwange v Monomotapa (Colliery), Harare City v Tripple (Rufaro), CAPS United v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium)
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