Mbara suspended

Grace Chingoma Sports Reporter
AFTER inspiring his team to the Defence Forces trophy success with victory over a ZDF Select side, Dynamos skipper Augustine Mbara will now have to miss his side’s Premiership assignment against ZPC Kariba at Rufaro on Sunday.

Mbara was instrumental in the heart of defence as he led Dynamos to a penalty shoot-out win over the soldiers at the National Sports Stadium on Tuesday.

But the tall Dynamos captain will have to sit out Sunday’s league match against ZPC Kariba as he will be serving suspension for picking three yellow cards.

Mbara was cautioned in both matches against Highlanders and also picked another yellow card in the match against Hwange at the Colliery.

Now his coach Tonderayi Ndiraya would have to make do without the skipper who lifted the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Trophy the club received from Minister of Defence Sydney Sekeramayi on Tuesday night as the Glamour Boys beat Zimbabwe Defence Forces Select 4-2 on penalties.

The match had ended in a 1-1 draw after both teams scored two late goals.

But a clinical finish in the spot kicks by the league champions saw them winning the Cup which also carried $9 000 in prize money.

Dynamos would be hoping that the good run they had in the last two matches starting with the Chibuku Super Cup first round clash against Whawha would also convert to success in the league where they have won just once in seven matches.

Team manager Richard Chihoro said yesterday the cup games had boosted the players’ confidence ahead of their battle against ZPC Kariba.

“The two victories in the Cup games are a morale booster and help us with confidence of the players.

“The Sunday match is a tough game. ZPC have a Dynamos son in their coach (Sunday Chidzambwa) and a number of their players were once at Dynamos. It would be a tough match but we are confident that we will do well.

“Ronald (Chitiyo) has started training and we will assess his fitness level by the end of the week and see whether he can play or not.

“However, we will miss captain Mbara who has been suspended after accumulating three yellow cards,” he said

Dynamos are not the only team that would be affected by the suspensions as Highlanders would miss the duo of Honest Moyo and King Nadolo.

Chapungu will also be without William Ngonya and Xolani Ncube in their away match against pacesetters Chicken Inn at Luveve.

Harare City duo of Tendai Samanja and Martin Vengesayi will be absent from the Sunshine Boys’ home tie against Dongo Sawmill at Rufaro on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League has also released the mid-week fixtures for next week as the league fathers want to cover up some ground.

Fixtures:

Saturday: Harare City v Dongo Sawmill (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Chapungu (Luveve), FC Platinum v Hwange (Mandava), Tsholotsho v Triangle (White City), Flame Lily v CAPS United (Lafarge).

Sunday: Whawha v Buffaloes (Ascot), Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields).

Wednesday 19th August: ZPC Kariba v How Mine (Nyamhunga), Chapungu v Harare City (Ascot), Hwange v Whawha (Colliery), Buffaloes v Chicken Inn (Sakubva), Triangle United v Dynamos (Gibbo), Dongo Sawmill v Flame Lily (Vengere).

Thursday 20 August: CAPS United v Tsholotsho (National Sports Stadium), Highlanders v FC Platinum (Barbourfields, SS).