adminvictory in the first leg at Sakubva three weeks ago before the Harare giants regrouped and bundled out the army outfit 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the BancABC Sup8r Cup a few days later.
As the sides prepare to meet for the third time inside a month, Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday said they were not prepared to further drop points to the Mutare side following their shock 1-0 loss at How Mine on Saturday.
“It was painful losing to Buffaloes because that was our first defeat of the season. They beat us at their own turf and now they are coming to our own hunting ground so they should expect a tough game,” said Chihoro.
“This is a game we must win at all costs. Remember we are coming from another defeat at How Mine and I don’t think the boys are prepared to lose two games in succession. That will not happen.
“We were quite unfortunate in our last game because we played good football but we couldn’t convert our chances.”
Dynamos have welcomed striker Patrick Khumbula back at training to add depth to the injury-prone side which has been struggling to get all the players fit at once.
The team’s coach Callisto Pasuwa has had to change his team week in week out because of the injuries.
Defender Partson Jaure could make the starting team this week after missing action for one month with a shin problem.
Despite the injuries affecting their camp, DeMbare are not likely to add numbers to their squad as the management has indicated that they have no funds to go shopping.
However, the Harare giants are assessing goalkeeper Zondai Nyaungwa who is seeking to retrace his footsteps back to the club after returning home from a stint in Swaziland.
Nyaungwa has been training with the club since last week and could be an option to cushion George Chigova and injured Artwell Mukandi, as reserve goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva lacks experience at the top level.
Dynamos are currently fourth on the log table with 28 points, three behind leaders Harare City.
Buffaloes warmed up to the challenge in a big way as they demolished Tripple B 5-1 last weekend.
Club secretary Tendai Chitowa yesterday said the Mutare side were in good spirits.
“It’s just another game like any we have played and we are preparing well for it. What happened in the previous games is now water under the bridge.
“We just need to improve on our defence because we have conceded the most goals (29) than any other team in the Premiership and at the same time it appears we have a brilliant scoring rate since we have also scored the most goals (29),” said Chitowa.
Watungwa Watungwa are sitting on the fence on eighth position with 22 points in the bag and are hoping to revitalise their campaign in the second half of the season.
Chitowa said the club was hoping to beef up their squad by registering Muchineripi Muneri and Lloyd Katongomara who have recovered from injuries that kept them out of the first half of the season.
“Buffaloes started very well this season but we suffered a big blow along the way when we experienced that rough patch when we dropped points in five matches in succession.
“We can still do well in the second half, I believe,” said Chitowa.
Highlanders will have another tricky outing against Chicken Inn as they clash in a city derby that is steadily growing in profile at Barbourfields on Sunday.
Both teams are pegged on 30 points on the log standings with Highlanders in second place because of a superior goal difference while Chicken Inn are third.
Log leaders Harare City will be out to maintain their top spot when they engage Monomotapa at Rufaro on Saturday while struggling former champions Motor Action travel to Zvishavane for a date against FC Platinum.
The matches will not be shown on SuperSport 9 as the same equipment is being used to cover the Cosafa Cup in Zambia.
Fixtures
Saturday
Tripple B v Black Rhinos (Dulibadzimu), FC Platinum v Motor Action (Mandava), Monomotapa v Harare City FC (Rufaro)
Sunday
Shabanie Mine v Black Mambas (Maglas), Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Triangle v How Mine (Gibbo), Dynamos v Buffaloes (Rufaro), Hwange v CAPS United (Colliery)
Online Reporter