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moved on from that controversy. The stocky coach ended up in hospital after an altercation with the DeMbare marshals in the tunnel of the dressing room at Rufaro, an incident that left a dent on the Glamour Boys’ successful march to the Promised Land.
Although Dynamos won that match 4-2, their opponents felt Hwange’s calls for a replay were credible because they played the tie without the benefit of guidance from their coach and, after a lengthy boardroom battle, the Harare giants were cleared.
This weekend, Dube returns to face a club he claims set their bouncers on him, a charge DeMbare denied, and which claimed that some of his claims that he was severely assaulted were outrageous.
Does he carry any grudges?
No, said the Hwange coach yesterday, it’s time to turn a new leaf.
“We have no grudges with Dynamos because this is only football,” Dube told The Herald.
“Of course, there were issues the last time but everything was settled by the authori- ties.
“The important thing is that we now know our opponents better and we are coming to play football.”
Dube said it was about time Hwange inflicted a defeat on DeMbare, in their backyard, and although he didn’t specifically say it, he probably meant that they wanted to prove that without any controversy, they could beat their rivals.
Hwange are currently third from bottom on the log standings and Dube should be feeling the pressure as they have only managed one victory in eight starts.
“I believe there is nothing extraordinary about this game. It’s just like any other away game we have to play this year and we fear nothing because we are playing a team that is in the same league with us,” said Dube.
“So we are preparing ourselves to win the match, like we have always done. We always aim to win, but sometimes in football things don’t go your way.
“The good thing about playing teams like Dynamos and Highlanders is that these are self-motivating matches.
“The players are already inspired to perform before you can tell them anything. Everyone wants to do well in front of the big crowds and I think the atmosphere works both ways.”
Hwange have always posed big problems for Dynamos but they were completely subdued last year as DeMbare walked away 4-2 winners at Rufaro and then followed that up with a 2-0 win at the Colliery.
He believes Hwange are now beginning to gain confidence.
“Things are shaping up and I believe last week’s home loss to Triangle was a big wake-up call,” said Dube.
“It was bad for everyone and you could tell in the changing room that everyone was hurt. But that is now behind us and we are focusing on the next game against Dynamos.”
He has been encouraged by the recovery of key players Gilbert Zulu, Isaac Masame, Andrew Chuma and Timothy Sibanda, who were battling knocks from their previous assignments.
Former Hwange striker — Francesco Zekumbawira — will not play against his former teammates because he is still sidelined with a hip injury.
Dynamos team manager, Richard Chihoro, said the big striker went for an x-ray this week and is awaiting results from the doctors.
Goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi has also been instructed to rest to allow him time to recover from swollen shins.
But the Glamour Boys have welcomed back defensive midfielder Stephen Alimenda, who missed the last assignment against Monomotapa due to injury.
DeMbare will have to do without their inspirational captain Murape Murape, who has been suspended for this game for accumulating three yellow cards.
“Murape is a very good motivator who helps lift up the spirits of his teammates and the other youngsters. We need him on the field every time because his presence always calms down nerves,” said Chihoro.
“But we still have Tawanda Muparati. I am sure we will look up to him because he is also good influence on the pitch.
“Our spirits never hit rock bottom even when we were drawing all those games because everyone had the same sense of belief that one day we will find the winning form.
“Now we need to raise our game especially when playing at home. Sometimes things don’t go in the manner that you had expected, like the way we started this season, but we need to collect maximum points more frequently.”
Fixtures:
Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Motor Action (Luveve), Black Mambas v Black Rhinos (Morris Depot), Tripple B v Monoz (Dulibadzimu), FC Platinum v Highlanders (Mandava)
Sunday: Shabanie v Harare City (Maglas), How Mine v Buffaloes (Luveve), Triangle v CAPS United (Gibbo), Dynamos v Hwange (Rufaro).
Online Reporter