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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
CONTROVERSIAL Shabanie Mine FC gaffer Luke Masomere has told title chasing Dynamos and Highlanders to be wary of his club ahead of their clashes. Shabanie Mine face Dynamos on Wednesday at Rufaro Stadium in Harare and will end their season against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium in two weeks time.
After Dynamos, Shabanie Mine will host Triangle at Maglas Stadium before ending the season with the away trip to Bulawayo.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final tie between Highlanders and Harare City on Saturday, the championship winning coach vowed to give the two giants a good run for their money.
Shabanie Mine who are the reigning BancABC Sup8r Cup champions are in danger of failing to defend their title next season as they are on position nine on the log with 36 points and Masomere believes that at least four points will get them into the top eight.
He said Dynamos and Highlanders should be prepared for strong opposition from his charges. “Dynamos and Highlanders should be wary of Shabanie Mine and when we meet them they must know that they will not have it easy. Every league game at this stage is more of a final and what we want now is just to get at least four points and see where we will be at the end of the season.
“Pressure is more on Dynamos and Highlanders now because they want results at all costs to make sure that they position themselves to take the championship but they will have to get maximum points from other teams not Shabanie Mine,” Masomere said.
Masomere’s match winners include strikers Caleb Masocha and gangly Tarisai Rukanda, former Gunners’ dribbling wizard Valentine Ndaba, captain Tafadzwa Mombeshora, goalkeeper Victor Twaliki and Fungai Chirinda.
On Wednesday, Shabanie Mine face Dynamos, with whom they drew 1-1 in the first leg in Zvishavane.
Dynamos are at the top of the log tied on 49 points with second placed Harare City and are just a point ahead of third placed Highlanders who are in the running for a league and cup double.
Shabanie Mine travel to Harare with their heads up as they got a confidence booster when they beat relegated Tripple B 3-2.
DeMbare on the other hand got a vital point at Gibbo Stadium last Sunday when they played to a 2-2 draw with Triangle and their coach Callisto Pasuwa will bank on the in-form Tawanda Muparati, exciting leftback Ocean Mushure, goalkeeper George Chigova, Stephen Alimenda who has since found a new lease of life at the Glamour Boys and Boban Zirintusa among others.
While Dynamos will be busy against Shabanie Mine, Harare City who were knocked out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup by Highlanders on Saturday will re-direct their focus on the championship race when they host relegated Motor Action at Gwanzura Stadium on Wednesday.
Bulawayo giants Highlanders welcome Triangle at Barbourfields Stadium with fond memories of their last meeting in the Mbada Diamonds Cup opener where Bosso won 3-2. Bosso got their goals from Njabulo Ncube and Gabriel Nyoni who scored a brace.
Pasca Manhanga and Charles Makoto scored for Triangle.
In that pulsating encounter, Triangle proved to be tricky customers for Highlanders with Pasca Manhanga giving a Lawson Nkomo and other Highlanders players a torrid time.
Fixtures
Wednesday: Dynamos v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro), Highlanders v Triangle United (Barbourfields), Tripple v Chicken Inn (Dulibadzimu), FC Platinum v Black Mambas (Mandava), Hwange v Buffaloes (Colliery), Caps United v Black Rhinos (National Sports Stadium), Harare City v Motor Action (Gwanzura)
Thursday: Monomotapa v How Mine (Gwanzura)
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