adminGoing into the Castle Lager Premiership tie at Mandava tomorrow, Gunners have the bragging rights after back-to-back wins over the expensively assembled FC Platinum last season.
Gunners stunned FC Platinum 3-0 at Maglas last season with Cliff Sekete scoring a brace while Ishmael Lawe weighed in with a goal. In the return fixture at Lafarge, Michelle Katsvairo and Sekete were on target for Gunners and Donald Ngoma pulled one back for the miners.
Katsvairo has now joined FC Platinum alongside former Gunners team-mates Ali Sadiki and Qadr Amin.
Last year, FC Platinum had raided the Gunners camp for goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube, defenders Daniel Veremu and Norman Togara and striker Norman Maroto.
Maroto is currently on loan at Motor Action. On the other hand, Gunners now have a former FC Platinum player in Tendai “DJ Malaika” Nyamadzawo.
Nyamadzawo is eligible to face FC and interestingly Chinungwa, will be playing against his sibling Togara.
“I always feel motivated when I play against my brother. There is this feeling that I want to prove a point that I am a better player,” said Chinungwa.
Chinungwa said Gunners are gelling and could give FC Platinum a good run for their money again.
“We started the season badly but the combinations are now coming up well.
“The team now has a better understanding and hopefully we should be collecting three points. FC Platinum might have recruited from us but we have found some replacements who are fitting well,” said Chinugwa.
Chinungwa believes its crucial for Gunners to collect three points at the end of the day.
Gunners coach George Madira said he is not reading much into previous results.
“I think its going to be an advantage for us because we know how almost half their team plays,” said Madira.
Gunners will have to keep a tight leash on Sadiki who scored a hat-trick in FC Platinum’s 4-1 win over Harare City last Saturday.
“We have never lost to FC Platinum in the league but we are not reading too much into that. We have new players while they have also assembled a new side,” said Madira.
Madira said Gunners could be without defenders Blessing Sande and Victor Kamhuka.
“Sande is injured while Victor is attending a funeral,” said Madira.
Meanwhile Dynamos are set to appear before a PSL disciplinary committee after their marshals allegedly assaulted Hwange coaches. Three Dembare marshals allegedly assaulted Chipangano coach Nation Dube and his assistant Mabelo Njekwa just before their league game at Rufaro on May 6.
Fixtures Round Eight
Tomorrow: Black Mambas v Shabanie Mine (Morris Depot), FC Platinum v Gunners (Mandava), Monoz v Quelaton (Rufaro), Blue Rangers v CAPS Utd (Gwanzura)
Sunday: Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), Hardbody v Harare City (Ascot), Buffaloes v Motor Action (Sakubva), Highlanders v Hwange (Barbourfields)
Round Nine:
Wednesday May 23: Quelaton v Blue Rangers (Luveve), Hwange v Monoz (Colliery), Motor Action v Dynamos (Rufaro), Shabanie Mine v Highlanders (Maglas)
Friday May 25: CAPS United v FC Platinum (NSS), Harare City v Buffaloes (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Black Mambas (Luveve), Gunners v Hardbody (Lafarge)
Online Reporter