admin
Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
Premiership champions Dynamos will get another chance to add silverware to their trophy cabinet when they face a ZDF Select team in a Defence Forces cup final clash at the National Sports Stadium today.
Traditionally, the tournament has been competed for by uniformed forces’ clubs, with Chapungu and Black Rhinos often battling for honours.
On the occasions when it was not the local army and Air Force clubs as was the case in the last three years, it was the ZDF Select side which played visiting defence teams from such countries like Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia.
But the competition will this afternoon roll back the years to when Dynamos and Highlanders used to be a regular feature in the final with players like Biggie and Garikai Zuze, Peter Fanwell, Henry Chari, the late Mercedes Sibanda, Rahman Gumbo, Madinda Ndlovu and Peter Nkomo having earned Defence Forces Cup medals.
Bosso, who have already won this year’s Army Commander’s Charity Shield, will not line up against their bitter enemies today but the Bulawayo giants’ fans will still relish a ZDF Select win over Dynamos.
For new Dynamos gaffer Tonderai Ndiraya, there is a lot of significance attached to the encounter which could give him his first silverware as the DeMbare head coach.
All the trophies that Ndiraya has won at Dynamos were achieved either as a player or an assistant coach.
His maiden attempt at a trophy, which was also his first game since replacing David Mandigora, ended in defeat to Highlanders at Rufaro.
Ndiraya’s men however, bounced back to overcome stubborn Whahwa in a Chibuku Super Cup first round tie on Saturday.
The former Dynamos midfielder said at the weekend that he has learnt through his experience at the club that “there is nothing like a friendly match that involves Dynamos’’.
“Every game that we play, our demanding fans expect us to win whether it is pre-season or any friendly match. At the same time any team that plays us will be seeking to beat us,’’ Ndiraya said.
There is no doubt that a lot of clubs take pride in beating DeMbare and many cherish such victories.
Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday echoed his coach’s’ sentiments and indicated that they would field a strong side.
The Harare giants are also looking at giving more game time to players who joined them during the July transfer window as they seek to find their rhythm in the second half of the championship marathon.
“We are fielding a full strength team and we are not resting any players who were active over the weekend as we want them to get used to the combinations being tried,” said Chihoro.
Dynamos will, however, be without midfielder Ronald Chitiyo who is not yet fully fit and did not play against Whawha in the Chibuku Super Cup assignment.
Although he has resumed training, Dynamos seem to be taking a cautious approach over their talisman who could be given further rest ahead of a league clash against Sunday Chidzambwa’s ZPC Kariba at Rufaro on Sunday.
But before they can think of the clash against ZPC Kariba, a team they pipped for the championship title on the final day, Dynamos have what promises to be a bruising battle against the soldiers to take care of.
ZDF have appointed Chapungu gaffer John Nyikadzino to take charge of the Select side and the coach yesterday revealed that he had drawn the bulk of his players from Buffaloes, Black Rhinos and the Gweru airmen.
Nyikadzino promised an exciting game by the armed forces and warned Dynamos that the ZDF Select side would bring all their experienced players as they seek to mark their special day in style.
The game also pits veteran forward Phillip Marufu against DeMbare, a team he played for on loan from Chapungu during their memorable 2008 African Champions League campaign. In that year, Marufu struck a good combination with Edward Sadomba and Benjamin Marere to inspire Dynamos to the semi-final.
Nyikadzino, who is also basking in the glory of having progressed to the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup with the airmen, said they are excited to play Dynamos.
“Preparations have gone on very well and we have quite an experienced side considering we have many defence forces teams. It was even difficult to come up with a squad.
“But basically Chapungu, Black Rhinos and Buffaloes are providing the bulk of the players and expect to see a number of seasoned players such as Marufu and Muzokomba.
“We are facing the biggest club in Zimbabwe. They are a good side and we are happy to play Dynamos on this special day for us, we just hope we will play entertaining football as we know a lot of people will come to watch the match,” he said.
DeMbare are also going into this match on high spirits after they managed to progress to the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup after beating Whawha 1-0 at Rufaro in a tightly-contested match.
Online Reporter