adminBarbourfields in the Mbada Diamonds Cup will be the “final before the final” as they hope to upstage the Glamour Boys and set themselves for a league double.
FC Platinum secretary Philemon Muvengwa yesterday said the moneybags have no pressure ahead of the showdown and will be content with being the underdogs.
The Zvishavane side is now eyeing a memorable league and cup success after a good run in their maiden season in the Premiership. Muvengwa said they are looking forward to the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final tie against the Harare giants, which comes just days before the decisive league encounter between the two title rivals, and are content playing Dynamos at Barbourfields.
“This is the game that we have been waiting for since the beginning of the tournament. We like the challenge and this being the first cup that we are competing for in the Premiership, going all the way to the finals will be big bonus.
“Of course Dynamos will do everything in their preparations to beat us but we are ready for the game. It’s going to be tough but just like in all the games that we play, we always look forward to something positive.
“It’s good that we are meeting in Bulawayo. To me it’s the ideal venue because it gives both teams equal advantages. Dynamos though have many supporters but Bulawayo is closer to our home in Zvishavane,” said Muvengwa. The platinum miners edged Gunners 6-5 in a penalty shootout after the teams had played a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time of their quarter-final tie at the Colliery two weeks ago.
Muvengwa refused to comment on allegations that they seem to get preferential treatment from referees in the wake of complaints by Gunners coach Moses Chunga, Shabanie’s Luke Masomere and Dynamos striker Murape Murape.
“I cannot comment on that. Right now we are concentrating on the Mbada Cup and the remaining league games against Monomotapa, Dynamos and Shooting Stars.
“It’s a tight race between us and Dynamos and we have to play to the best of our potential. Like I said before, all the remaining games are difficult because we have to keep collecting points,” said Muvengwa.
Their opponents Dynamos are looking to overcome the disappointment of dropping two points to Hwange by qualifying for the final of the lucrative Mbada Diamonds Cup.
Dynamos assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya said they have since picked themselves up despite injury worries to midfield hardman Milton Makopa, Cuthbert Malajila and captain George Magariro.
“They picked up knocks in the last game but it appears it’s not that serious. So we decided to give them time to rest and we are monitoring their situation as the week goes.
“Otherwise the morale is high and hopefully by the time we play they will have fully recovered. And in the case that it fails to happen, there is no need to panic because we have the replacements,” said Ndiraya.
Fixtures
Sunday: FC Platinum v Dynamos (Barbourfields), Motor Action v Zimbabwe Saints (Sakubva)
Online Reporter