adminPaul Mundandi, Zvishavane Sports Correspondent
SHABANIE Mine gaffer Luke Masomere has promised a tough match against Caps United today declaring that it will be a D-Day for the asbestos miners.“We want to win the match tomorrow because I am taking it as a decider. If we win I will declare my team safe from relegation but if we lose we will live to fight another day though my wish is to win the game to confirm our league status,” said the outspoken coach.
“Every time we play Caps United there are fireworks and my hope is that players that I am going to field will carry the day.
“I worked with Mangwiro (Taurayi) and I respect him. I respect all the coaches and players in the Premiership,” he added.
Masomere has already brushed aside the 0-3 defeat he suffered at the hands of Chicken Inn last Saturday. On Wednesday he snatched a point when he drew with Harare City in the capital, a result which was welcomed by Dynamos faithfuls.
On Sunday, Masomere takes to the battle with a battalion that will be missing the services of injured Caleb Masocha, Pervington Zimunya, Peter Muzondo, Erea Phiri and Farai Mususunye.
He is however a firm believer that Norman Maroto who is reviving his career at the miners will rise to the occasion and guide Shabanie to victory.
Talbott Mtombeni, a former Pamushana High School pupil, will be looking forward to making an impact in the squad that also boasts of experienced players in the mould of Tafadzwa Mombeshora, Philip Sithole, Valentine Ndaba, Smart Muchabayiwa, Frankson Bushire and Fungai Chirinda.
Caps United will be missing the services of Tafadzwa Mahori who was red-carded in the game against Triangle on Wednesday. The Harare side will however bank on the experience of Tafadzwa Dube, Arnold Chivheya, Tawanda Nyamandwe, Rahman Kutsanzira, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Tapiwa Kumbuyani and Dominic Chungwa.
In their last meeting in Harare, Shabanie won 3-2 with Masocha scoring a brace and Mususunye notching the winner. The self-proclaimed doctor of football urged the fans to come in their numbers to watch their team playing at its home ground, Maglas Stadium.
“I am appealing to fans to come in their numbers but they must be disciplined because the law says they must not scale the fence and throw missiles even if they do not agree with the referee’s decision. We have developed a culture of paying a fine every week and that must end with immediate effect as we need the money.
“The police must also play their part. We had around 80 police officers when we played the BancABC Sup8r final but many of them were watching the match instead of maintaining law and order. They must face the crowd like what happens in the United Kingdom he said.
“How can we be fined while the stadium is full of police officers? They must face the fans and weed out the culprits. When there is chaos the PSL must fine the police. It is not our mistakes but the police are accountable. We would rather have four police officers to protect the referee rather than officers who will be enjoying the match,” said Masomere.
Online Reporter