admincontinues to take shape tomorrow afternoon.
Two titans in the domestic league — Dynamos and Highlanders — have won 12 matches each and are separated by three points.
DeMbare could all but catch up with their rivals if their appeal on the replay against Hwange is successful while Bosso have maintained a proud record of being the only team yet to taste defeat this season.
At Rufaro, Dynamos play Gunners in a tricky Harare derby while Highlanders face Motor Action who are lying in mid-table.
Bosso were left fuming after they were held to a goalless draw by Harare City at Rufaro and their coach Kelvin Kaindu alleged that they were ill-treated before the match.
But tomorrow, Highlanders will be in the comfort of their cauldron of Barbourfields although they would still need to be cautious of the Mighty Bulls who matched them blow for blow in the first round at Rufaro.
Joey Antipas’ Motor Action have been unpredictable as they have been blowing hot and cold this season while captain Passmore Benard has been the most consistent performer.
The Mighty Bulls also have Morris Kadzola who is upbeat about their chances while veteran goalkeeper Marlon Jani could play a pivotal role.
The defending league champions Dynamos have not lost a league match since their 1-0 defeat to Harare City in round 10 and interestingly the two sides square off in the next round.
DeMbare are still high on confidence after recent wins over rivals CAPS United and FC Platinum and now they hope to douse Chando Kupisa.
In the reverse fixture at Lafarge, Dynamos beat Gunners 2-1 with goals from Guthrie Zhokinyi and Rodreck Mutuma.
Moses Muchenje pulled one back for Gunners who have since parted ways with Cliff Sekete, Leonard Fiyado, Hardlife Zvirekwi and William Manondo after the mid-season.
Sekete is now at Dynamos and his departure, coupled with that of Fiyado, has seen Gunners struggling to get goals.
Dynamos will be without stocky midfielder Milton Makopa who is still not feeling well.
“I am not yet fit to play. For now I am still in pain,” said Makopa yesterday.
However, Callisto Pasuwa would be happy with the sheer brilliance exhibited by Denver Mukamba during mid-week.
Mukamba struck either side of the break as DeMbare dismissed FC Platinum for the fifth time in as many meetings.
Tonderayi Ndiraya, the Dynamos assistant said their focus now on collecting as many points as possible to keep the pressure on Bosso.
“We want to keep on pushing. We wanted to collect three points and that is what we have done. We will keep on pushing,” said Ndiraya this week.
Dynamos will be boosted by the return of Tawanda Muparati who missed the mid-week tie while Sekete could also be unleashed against his former team-mates.
It’s also hard to ignore Farai Mupasiri, a rookie player who has been consistent in his performances for the Glamour Boys side.
Pasuwa has also trusted Devon Chafa to do most of the dirty work while Patson Jaure and Zhokinyi have provided cover for George Chigova who is yet to lose a match since taking over from Washington Arubi.
Interestingly, Chigova was signed from Gunners.
However, Tapiwa Mangezi, a seasoned campaigner with Gunners since their formative days, believes the side should get a point in the match at Rufaro tomorrow.
“Dynamos are high on confidence and there is no doubt about that at all.
“If one looks at Dynamos, they are coming from a big win in their recent match.
“We have been playing well in the previous game. In our matches, we have been creating the chances but missed those chances. Our side lost a number of players who were regulars in the team and that affected us.
“Unlike other teams that went to the market to buy players, we recruited from our ranks and the new players are now gelling. I believe that soon we should start getting results,” said Mangezi.
Gunners are lying in 13th position with 18 points and are in danger of getting the chop although they are not pressing the panic button yet.
“I know what it feels like to fight for the championship because I won it in 2009.
“Now I know also how it feels like to fight for our lives in the league.
“If one looks at the relegation equation, it’s just five points that separates a team in relegation and the one in position eight.
So it’s a matter of getting two wins and we move up,” he said.
Mangezi, as one of the senior players at Gunners, feels the weight of the team on his shoulders.
“Dynamos are just high on confidence and they are playing for nothing short of three points.
“But we are also seeking nothing short of a point from this game and this means it’s going to be a tough match,” he said.
Gunners will be going into the battle without steely skipper Pardon Chinungwa who is serving a suspension.
But their coach Thanks Tengwe hopes to plug the defence with the other options available.
“It’s a big blow to miss an experienced player like Pardon but we have been training without him since Tuesday and we should be very cautious.
“However, everyone has a role to play in the team.
“We are going to play for each other and fight for good results.
“From now on every game is like a cup game for us and we want to collect points,” said Mangezi
Latest Log Standings
P W D L F A Pts
Highlanders 19 12 7 0 37 10 43
Dynamos 18 12 4 2 32 8 40
Monomotapa 19 11 3 5 26 20 36
Chicken Inn 19 9 5 5 21 12 32
Shabanie Mine 19 9 5 5 24 16 32
Buffaloes 19 9 5 5 18 14 32
FC Platinum 19 8 5 5 27 25 29
Motor Action 19 8 4 7 18 17 28
Hwange 18 7 4 7 26 26 25
Harare City 19 5 9 5 15 16 24
Black Mambas 19 6 3 10 19 27 21
CAPS United 19 5 4 10 15 23 19
Gunners 19 5 3 11 15 21 18
Hardbody 19 4 3 12 15 28 15
Blue Rangers 19 3 5 11 17 36 14
*Quelaton 19 2 3 14 9 34 6
* Three points deducted for using suspended player
Fixtures
Today: Monomotapa v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Blue Rangers (Mandava), Black Mambas v Harare City (Morris Depot)
Tomorrow: Dynamos v Gunners (Rufaro), Highlanders v Motor Action (BF), Hardbody v Quelaton (Ascot), Buffaloes v CAPS United (Sakubva), Hwange v Chicken Inn (Colliery).
Online Reporter
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