adminthis afternoon to keep alive their prospects in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race.
The task has been left in the hands of David George in the absence of manager Joey Antipas who is currently away on national duty with the Warriors, for the final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Cape Verde.
The Mighty Bulls, however, are looking forward to put behind them the morale-sapping 2-0 defeat at CAPS United last week, which stretched their run poor run to four games on the trot, and dragged them down into third place behind Dynamos and log leaders FC Platinum.
Despite the setback, George yesterday was confident the Mighty Bulls will rise again and were aiming at maximum points this afternoon.
“The good thing is we are still in with a strong chance. Competition actually makes football interesting.
“Anything can happen in the last six games but we are taking each game as it comes,” he said.
If anything, Motor Action should now demonstrate character in the remaining six games to bolster their credentials as they no longer control the race after ceding their six-week reign to FC Platinum last week.
The Mighty Bulls have dictated the pace longer than any other team in this year’s campaign but they appear to choke at the most crucial moment.
Motor Action are now three points behind FC Platinum and two adrift of Dynamos, which makes victory today of paramount importance.
“It happens in football that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, and we have experienced that.
“Right now we are focusing on the match on our hands and we hope to bounce back after losing to CAPS United.
“Everyone is fit and ready for the game,” said George.
The Mighty Bulls won 1-0 courtesy of Kuda Musharu in the first meeting against Blue Ribbon.
The millers are also going through a lean spell and they will be without their top goalscorer Tinei Chitora who is suspended this week after accumulating three yellow cards in previous games.
They lost their last two matches to FC Platinum and Highlanders and are eager to bounce back into the top eight with a victory this afternoon.
Title contenders Dynamos will tread cautiously when they take their fight for this year’s championship to Masvingo and they are not anticipating a stroll in the park tomorrow.
Assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya said DeMbare will be wary of their hosts who have done well to collect points at home this season until recently when they lost to Black Mambas and Motor Action for their only two defeats in their 12 games at Mucheke. Masvingo are now under the tutelage of Ralph Kawondera who deputised Lloyd Mutasa at the Glamour Boys early this season before leaving for the ancient town nearly two weeks ago.
Dynamos are currently second on the log table with 45 points, one behind FC Platinum who host lowly Black Mambas at Mandava this afternoon.
“Every match is a tough assignment but Mucheke has always been a difficult venue to any team.
“It’s always challenging playing there and the fact that Masvingo are currently in the bottom half of the table makes them dangerous.
“But we just have to accomplish our business there and try as much as we can to win. We want to win all our remaining games to put ourselves in good stead for the championship,” said Ndiraya.
DeMbare will be following results from today’s matches with interest as FC Platinum could increase their lead to four points with a win over Mambas while Motor Action have a chance to land into second place if they beat Blue Ribbon.
Key players Cuthbert Malajila and Washington Arubi are not available as they are away on national team duty with the Warriors.
But Ndiraya said they have enough cover for Arubi in the form of Maxwell Nyamupangedengu and Philip Nhete while former Masvingo forward Martin Vengesai could come in for Malajila.
Chairman of the Dynamos Supports Association (Harare Chapter), Felix Dzukwa, yesterday called on fans to assembly at ZB in the capital early tomorrow morning to map up travelling arrangements to Mucheke.
Masvingo have three players who have been ruled out through injury.
Goalkeeper Talent Sande, Vengai Sinamayi and Beavan Chirere are the casualties in the Yuna Yuna camp.
Kawondera said they have the capability to derail Dynamos’ march after the Glamour Boys had managed to string together five wins in succession since he and Mutasa paved the way for Callisto Pasuwa.
“It’s always a big challenge facing your former team but we have a job to do. Right now we are not in good position on the log table and we need the three points.
“Dynamos is a big team and they have been doing well of late but we are prepared for them.
“It will be sweet for everyone here if we become the first team to stop them and bring their fine run to an end,” said Kawondera.
Masvingo are currently 12th on the log standings with 27 points and are already fighting for their survival, with six games remaining.
Fixtures
Today
Monomotapa v Zimbabwe Saints (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Black Mambas (Mandava), Motor Action v Blue Ribbon (Motor Action Sports Club), Chicken Inn v CAPS United (Luveve)
Tomorrow
Highlanders v Shooting Stars (BF), Masvingo v Dynamos (Mucheke), Hwange v Shabanie (Colliery), Kiglon v Gunners (Rufaro).
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