‘Don’t cry for DeMbare’

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
CONTROVERSIAL How Mine coach Luke Masomere last night said people must not moan or wail on behalf of Dynamos coach David Mandigora ahead of the two teams’ clash at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.The Glamour Boys invade Bulawayo today without six key players amid calls by a section of their supporters to have the match postponed. DeMbare will be without slippery Ronald Chitiyo and Godknows Murwira who are doing duty for the nation in the Cosafa Cup in South Africa. Up-and-coming defender Blessing Moyo, goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva and Carlos Rusere are with the Zimbabwe Under-23 squad. Obey Mwerahari has been ruled out due to injury.

“People must not moan on behalf of Mandigora, I know he isn’t complaining about the players that are doing duty for the nation just like I wouldn’t complain. In fact I have told Callisto Pasuwa that he must not hesitate to call as many as four or five of my players and I will never wail and call for the postponement of my game, we all registered 25 players whose choice was at our discretion so let’s not look for excuses,” said Masomere.

He said despite the DeMbare minor setback, his team would troop out of the Emagumeni dugout as underdogs because of Dynamos’ national and international stature.

“Dynamos are the biggest club in Zimbabwe and us being How Mine are starting the match as underdogs but that does not mean we are afraid of them, certainly not. We can’t wait for Sunday to play against the champions,” said Masomere who revealed that he might unleash former Dynamos midfield general Devon Chafa who has been out nursing an injury.

Godfrey Nguwodzawo has also fully recovered and is available for selection as How Mine seeks to hand Dynamos their first loss in Bulawayo in more than a year. DeMbare never lost a league match in Bulawayo last season.

Dynamos manager Richard Chihoro said they are also prepared for the match but more so their former players and seemed to belittle their impact.

“We are prepared for anything. Even our former players, we are prepared for the challenge. I think Chafa has not been in action for a while, I don’t think he can be a danger,” Chihoro told our sister paper H-Metro.