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Lovemore Dube Sports Editor
VETERAN How Mine tough as teak defender Herbert Dick yesterday described his team’s quarter-final match against Dynamos as having been the final before the penultimate clash.
The gold miners beat Dynamos by a solitary goal to set up a meeting with Caps United in the semi-finals of the Mbada Diamonds Cup in Harare on Sunday.
“That match was the final of the tournament. It was played in a very competitive spirit and mind you we were playing the defending champions and it felt so great to knock them out of the tournament. We played well on the day with every player on top of his game.
“It felt so great at the end that we had knocked out former champions. That is quite a motivating factor for the boys going forward,” said Dick.
The former AmaZulu, Air Zimbabwe Jets, Bantu Rovers and Highlanders defence stalwart said they would have to guard against complacency when they face Caps United.
“While knocking out the champions was a milestone for our team, that result is history.
“We will have to fight against complacency and face the challenge before us.
“We are looking forward to going beyond the semi-final and our confidence stems from our feat against Dynamos. They are not an ordinary outfit and every player dreams of beating them all the time,” said Dick.
At 34, Dick feels he does not have long to stay on the field.
He could, however, not disclose when he would retire from the game that has given him fame and taken him abroad to Poland where he won a league runner-up’s medal.
“I do not know how long I will continue playing. This could be the last cup final and medal, so I want to win it. It has been a long time since I last won something on the domestic scene so this one would be special to me,” said the tough defender who was part of the AmaZulu league championship winning team in 2003.
He said playing Dynamos and Highlanders had proved a self-motivating factor to his teammates who have done fairly well in their maiden season in the Premiership.
“Playing the big guns has always been a self-motivating factor.
Everyone wants to be part of the team that beats Dynamos and Highlanders. Caps United will not be different on Sunday,” said the former national team defender.
Dick said at this stage every opponent is geared up to want to beat him on the field of play. He said this called for 100 percent concentration and team work which would be key to the day’s result.
“At this level, you have every opposition striker saying he would like to dribble past Herbert Dick. I would have to be at my best with my teammates,” said Dick.
The central defender, who has formed a good partnership with Gilbert Banda at How Mine, said the game against Caps United was special to him because in almost two years he had not played against the Harare giants because of one reason or the other.
“I have missed some of the matches through injury, others because of suspension. I am looking forward to the weekend match and I hope we come right on the afternoon.
“At personal level, I think I have played well against Caps United them and I remember one season while still with Eiffel Flats I scored a brace against them. It would be good to shut them out and be on target,” said the man who has weighed in with some decisive goals for the miners this season.
How Mine should expect a torrid time against an opponent which has been battling to restore lost pride.
The Mbada Diamonds Cup represents a perfect opportunity for Caps United to reclaim its place among the country’s top clubs.
Winners of the Harare match will face either Harare City or Highlanders whose duel is set for Mandava Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Online Reporter