From Champs League to PSL

League -will be hoping to pour their frustrations on each other when they clash in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Rufaro on Sunday.
The Mighty Bulls were sent packing out of the prestigious competition after losing 4-2 on penalties in a one-legged encounter at Rufaro against crack Cote d’Ivoire side Asec Mimosa last month.
Motor Action had booked their way into the first round after edging past lightweights Cnaps Sports of Madagascar in the preliminary round.
The Mighty Bulls, however, soon discovered that the Champions League is a different ball game after they failed to hold their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout against ASEC.
Dynamos, seasoned campaigners in the competition, got a bye in the preliminary round and only flattered to deceive when they beat Algerian side MC Alger 4-1 at Rufaro in a first round, first leg encounter.
But the Harare giants were left shell shocked after a stormy second leg tie in Algiers where they lost 3-0 and ended the game with nine men following the expulsions of defender Guthrie Zhokinyi and midfielder Archieford Gutu.
That defeat and the first round exit marked Dynamos’ worst show in the competition.
But with the both Dynamos and Motor Action now out of the reckoning for the Champions League, the Harare rivals have shifted their attention to domestic duties.
The Mighty Bulls have played twice against Black Mambas, winning 2-0 and drew 0-0 with Gunners since their Champions League exit.
This means the tougher part of the test is on Dynamos who would have to rebound from their Algerian nightmare.
Dynamos had been meant to play FC Platinum yesterday but the PSL has agreed to defer the game to next week and that means Lloyd Mutasa’s men should be fresh enough for the Mighty Bulls challenge.
On Sunday the two top clubs from last season will be fighting for honours, hoping to set the pace in the championship race and with it a return ticket to the African Safari next season.
Both teams are under a lot of pressure with Motor Action being the champions while Dynamos have their multitudes of fans to appease in this Harare derby.
Going into the game, Dynamos have the bragging rights after winning all their last three clashes against the Mighty Bulls.
During the intense heat for the championship race last season, Dynamos beat Motor Action 2-1 in an ill-tempered game at the same venue that threatened to derail the Bulls’ march towards their maiden championship.
Goalkeeper Washington Arubi and Evans Gwekwerere struck for Dynamos with Allan Gahadzikwa pulling one for the Mighty Bulls.
This year, the two clubs have met twice during the pre-season and Dynamos were on top.
In their first meeting this year, Dynamos beat Motor Action 2-0 in a friendly game as both teams tested new players.
Lanky striker Roderick Mutuma scored a brace that separated the teams.
They met again in the NetOne Charity Shield last month, which was decided on penalties after the game had ended tied 2-2.
Murape Murape and Timire Mamvura had scored for Dynamos with Enasio Perezo and Allan Gahadzikwa getting on the scoresheet for Motor Action.
Dynamos eventually won 4-2 on penalties to lift the Charity Shield on March 19.
Last year, Motor Action won the first round, winning 2-1 with Perezo and Gahadzikwa scoring while Ashley Rambanapasi pulled one back for DeMbare.
Motor Action coach David George has also alluded that they will be under pressure as champions in each game but the Mighty Bulls appear to be in comfort zone than Dynamos, going into this game.
The league champions got their defence of the title with a 2-0 win over Black Mambas and then drew 0-0 with Gunners but it’s the game against wounded Dynamos, which will provide the real test.
Edward Tembo, a key defensive midfielder for the Mighty Bulls is hopeful of a good result.
“Last season Dynamos won through a penalty that had to be retaken and looking at the last game we played in the Charity Shield, it was 50-50 affair but this time we hope to win.
“We are champions for last season and this is a new season.
“We have to take the game as it comes and we should play to the best of our abilities,” said Tembo.
Tembo however, remains respectful of the Glamour Boys despite their better take off in the league than Dynamos.
Dynamos started badly, losing 1-0 to Kiglon in their first game and their woes were compounded by the debacle in Algiers.
Now they will be eager to show that their pre-season form was no fluke with a first league victory of the year.
In the other matches on a full weekend for the Premiership high-scoring CAPS United host Shabanie at Rufaro.
CAPS have reaped a massive 10 goals in two matches, scoring five goals in each match and coach Moses Chunga earlier this week revealed his eagerness to have his charges fire at least 20 goals by their fourth game.
The Green Machine thumped Zimbabwe Saints 5-3 before hammering Shooting Stars 5-2 in a result that also cost Gishon Ntini his job with the Wild Boys. Now CAPS United will fancy their chances against Shabanie who have parted ways with Saul Chaminuka.
Shabanie Mine have appointed former players Arnold Jani, Andrew Chisunga and Elvis Muuya, as the caretaker coaches with the former in charge while the be latter pair will be assisting him.
Jani and Chisunga were assistant coaches to Chaminuka.
Fixtures:
Tomorrow: Black Mambas v Zimbabwe Saints (Morris Depot), Shooting Stars v Blue Ribbon (Gwanzura), CAPS v Shabanie (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Gunners (Luveve), FC Platinum v Monomotapa (Maglas)
Sunday: Motor Action v Dynamos (Rufaro), Highlanders v Masvingo (BF), Kiglon v Hwange (Gwanzura)
Wednesday: Dynamos v FC Platinum (Rufaro).