DeMbare, Mighty Bulls clash

the champions in the first semi-final of the BancABC Sup8r Cup at Rufaro this afternoon.

Magariro yesterday said the Glamour Boys face probably their toughest challenge in the form of the Mighty Bulls but vowed they will fight tooth and nail to retain the title.
Dynamos are the defending champions in the tournament after clinching the silverware for the first time last year while the Mighty Bulls hold the league crown after winning their maiden championship title in their 10-year history of top-flight football.

“To be honest this is going to be a very tight game,” said Magariro. We all know what Motor Action are capable of doing. They are a team that is capable of scoring many goals and they beat us in the first round of the league competition.
“We don’t want to lose to them again and we will fight hard for that. Our preparations have been going on well and everyone is ready,” he said.

Besides Milton Makopa, who is nursing injury, Dynamos have a full squad to pick their team. Midfielder Denver Mukamba, who missed last week’s action in the 68th Harare derby against CAPS United because of suspension, is eligible for this game since it is a cup competition.
Dynamos beat Hwange 2-1 at Gibbo Stadium in Triangle early this month to sail through to the semi-finals of the BancABC Cup with goals from Tawanda Muparati and Rodreck Mutuma. Last week’s two-goal hero

Mutuma, who joined Dynamos at the start of the season, is expected to be in the starting line-up and will be facing the Mighty Bulls for the third time this year. Mutuma grabbed a brace past Marlon Jani in a pre-season friendly won 2-1 by Dynamos but twice failed to register his name on the scoresheet in the games that followed. But DeMbare seem to have rediscovered their form, of late, with a string of good results which include three wins and a draw in their last four outings.

Magariro yesterday said they are aiming to maintain the momentum after completing a rare league double over rivals CAPS United last Sunday.
“We have to concentrate at the back because Motor Action have good strikers. There should be no room for mistakes,” he said.
The Mighty Bulls are one of the most disciplined teams in the league and coach Joey Antipas has indicated that they would not want to falter at this stage. Currently the Mighty Bulls are second on the log standings with 34 points while Dynamos are third, five points behind.

Antipas’ men qualified for the last four from a tightly contested affair when they edged Monomotapa 2-1 courtesy of two second-half goals by Masimba Mambare and Themba Ndlovu at Sakubva early this month. The Mighty Bulls have a solid team anchored on their reliable captain and goalkeeper Marlon Jani. One of the club’s joint top goal scorers Edmore Chitato yesterday said they were looking forward to a good game.

“The chances are 50-50 but we would want to end this match in 90 minutes. We don’t want penalty shootout and that would mean hard work on our part,” said Chitato.
“Obviously Dynamos are better prepared than the last time we met. But we have more experienced players than Dynamos,” said Chitato. Motor Action walked away the superior side the last time the two teams met after outclassing their opponents with a 2-0 victory at Rufaro.

The Mighty Bulls looked technically a class above their opponents who had endured a slow start this season and forwards Chitato and Gift Phiri, who share eight league goals between them, were on target in that match.

But the teams had met in the season opener Net One Charity Shield when DeMbare scrapped to the title and grab the winners’ cheque of US$40 000 through penalty shootout after the teams had tied 2-2 after regulation. Motor Action have an edge over Dynamos in terms of experience and they hope that would work in their favour.

Antipas revealed a largely clean bill of health with midfielder Edward Tembo the only worry. But Kuda Musharu is also set for a return after missing their last game because of suspension, while Tawanda Nyamandwe, Isaac Masame, Masimba Mambare and Themba Ndlovu are also available to provide stability.

Fixtures
Saturday (BancABC Sup8r semi-final)
Dynamos v Motor Action (Rufaro)
Highlanders v Shabanie Mine (Barbourfields)