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DYNAMOS midfielder Tawanda Muparati has echoed the sentiments of his captain Murape Murape and warned the Glamour Boys against underrating Shabanie Mine when the two teams clash in a BancABC Sup8r Cup semi-final tie at Barbourfields on Sunday. Muparati spoke as Shabanie upped the stakes for their players for this game with the miners pledging US$1 000 for each player should they beat the Premiership champions.
Shabanie usually give a cropper against DeMbare, but Muparati is wary of complacency for the Harare giants, which he felt could be suicidal if they let it creep into their heads.
Muparati is one of the players who have a rich history in the BancABC tournament, having played in the final of the inaugural cup in 2008 with Lengthens but lost out to CAPS United.
The following year, Lengthens got it right and won the cup and Muparati was part of the team.
He also featured for Dynamos in 2011 but did not progress to the semi-finals.
The former Douglas Warriors midfielder is fully aware that games of this magnitude do not go according to the form book and neither do they suit a status of the club.
“When we play Shabanie we should not underrate them.
“We have this tendency that when we play against small teams we relax. But we should not relax on Sunday. Shabanie have reached the semi-finals and are very tricky,” said Muparati.
Muparati is also hoping that they will not stutter as they are coming from a long break.
“I have some experience in cup games and everyone is ready for the match. We have been working hard at training and we don’t want the break to affect us. We have to play well.
“We are not reading much into Shabanie or their players. But we will just concentrate on what we can deliver as a team.
“I know that these games are difficult. Everyone wants to win. But we just have to use our experience as champions and progress to the final,” said Muparati.
The former Lengthens midfielder is one player who usually makes a difference when playing in games of this nature. He has a knack to score crucial goals that count when the going gets tough.
Meanwhile, the Zvishavane community have pooled resources and will reward their players handsomely should they beat DeMbare.
The businessmen from the mining town, who have often rescued the team financially, have promised the players hefty packages.
“We want our players to beat Dynamos and make it to the final and I want the players to get US$1 000 if they qualify for the final.
“I also hope that FC Platinum will also make it to the final because we want a Zvishavane derby.
“It is our hope and wish that this is going to happen and maybe have the final played in here (Zvishavane) which will be very exciting,” said John Gudo Mahwite, who is a farmer and businessman.
Together with another businessman Clever Pote and team manager Samson “Sam Dread” Gondwe they have bailed the team out on numerous occasions.
Sunday’s game will be the second time that DeMbare and the Chinda Boys would be clashing in a major cup tournament.
In 2001, Shabanie stunned DeMbare to win the BP League Cup through a last minute goal from the late Thomas “Chaurura” Makwasha.
Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa featured in that match as a player.
Shabanie will welcome back skipper Rodney Mwale, who had been sidelined by an injury while newboy Norman Maroto could be handed a start against the team that nurtured his talents.
Shabanie have, however, been dealt a blow following the injury of left back Peter Muzondo.
Online Reporter