Monoz unfazed

Dhlamini, who is the goalkeepers’ trainer at Monoz, is now eager to finish off the season with a medal from the richest knockout cup in the domestic league.

Harare giants Dynamos are the reigning Mbada Diamonds Cup champions, but Monoz are planning a smash and grab adventure on DeMbare.

Monoz had a rather shaky start to their season but managed to gather their act and finished a credible fourth in the league, as they impressed many neutrals with their fine passing game.

Chinomakwa Nani, as Monoz are affectingly known to their small band of supporters, remain the only side to have beaten Highlanders in the league championship this season.

Monoz showed that their win over Bosso in October was not a fluke as they knocked the Bulawayo giants out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup at the Colliery.

Monomotapa nearly spoiled Dynamos’ title hopes when they took the lead through Tawanda Nyamandwe before the champions rallied from behind with goals from Simba Sithole and Roderick Mutuma.

“I think our guys did pretty well throughout the season.

“Now we need to complement that good performance with at least a silverware,” said Dhlamani.

Dhlamini shared the same sentiment with his boss Biggie Zuze that their side is not under any pressure as they go into the knockout cup final.

“We are not under any pressure.

“I am sure we are happy with the underdogs tag and it’s Dynamos who should be feeling the pressure,” said Dhlamini.

Both Dhlamini and Zuze featured for Dynamos during their active days as players and will be facing the same club that gave them the platform in football.

“We played for Dynamos before but now we are working at Monomotapa.

“Now we have a job to do and there certainly should not be any favours towards Dynamos from us,” he said.

Monoz are ready to take part in the Caf Confederations Cup next year and would be using the match against Dynamos to kick-start their preparations.

The side has been enticed by the $150 000 subsidy from Mbada Diamonds for the African adventure.

In 2009, Monomotapa made history when they became the only Zimbabwean side, besides Dynamos, to reach the mini-league stage of the Africa Champions League.

Monomotapa’s preparations have been boosted by the return from injury of striker Tawanda Nyamandwe.

Nyamandwe, who is the team captain, once played for Dynamos and could form a lethal partnership with Kuda Musharu and Makai Kawashu.

Osborne Mukuradare has also been outstanding since his hattrick condemned Highlanders to their first and only defeat this season.

Monomotapa have been relying on goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi to provide cover in goals but it has been the creativity of Ronald Chitiyo that has been illuminating their matches.

Now fans could be bracing for potentially thrilling midfield duels between Chitiyo and Dynamos’ Denver Mukamba.

Dhlamini also appeared to stir a hornet’s nest when he said they were not intimidated at playing Dynamos.

“Dynamos are a big institution and have a lot of supporters.

“But there is nothing for us to fear on them,” said Dhlamini.