adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
SHABANIE Mine coach Jairos Tapera believes they have a tough assignment on their hands when they face defending champions Dynamos at Rufaro on Sunday, but has warned the champions they won’t have it easy. DeMbare, who are coming from picking a big point in a goalless draw at FC Platinum, are looking to make the most of home advantage to bounce back to winning ways and bolster their championship credentials.
The Harare giants are two points clear at the top of the table, with the season now in the home stretch and have targeted maximum points in their remaining seven matches.
However, the Glamour Boys have had some close encounters with the asbestos miners whom they have failed to beat in the last two seasons.
The first leg between the two rivals ended in a goalless draw at Maglas earlier this year, which echoed last year’s identical 1-1 stalemates in their two meetings.
But while DeMbare come into this match with eyes fixed on the championship, Shabanie Mine are preoccupied with the struggle to rise above the relegation puzzle.
Tapera yesterday said Shabanie Mine were coming to Harare to compete following a difficult season in which they had to spend most of their time fighting for safety in the bottom half of the table.
“I think this is going to be a very tough game. It’s a huge game which many people are looking forward to,” said Tapera.
“Dynamos are the defending champions and, obviously, they are dangerous at this stage, as they specialise on the championship.
“We respect them for that but we are in the league to compete.
“We also need the points, in fact we would want as many points as we can possibly collect in the remaining games.
“Our strategy is to take each game as it comes and it will be good for us if we can at least get a point from each and every game that we play.”
Tapera joined Shabanie Mine last month from FC Platinum with the mandate to help the asbestos miners escape the chop after the club experienced a sudden dip in form despite a promising start under John Phiri.
The asbestos miners suffered a huge blow in their campaign when they fell 0-1 to Chiredzi at the weekend to remain third-from-the-bottom of the table.
“It was very disappointing because we played very well,” said Tapera as he reflected about their loss in the Lowveld.
“We had numerous chances to bury that game but the goals could not come. So we are going to continue working on the moves this week.
“Of course, the spirits were low but we had a pep talk with the players and it seems everyone now has his head up.
“Sometimes it’s easier to motivate these players ahead of these big games because everybody wants to prove something.”
Shabanie Mine have 26 points while Dynamos lead the race with 43. The Glamour Boys are unbeaten in their last 12 league games and appear determined to wrap up a fourth successive championship.
The other title contenders ZPC Kariba and Highlanders are set to cancel out each other in a big clash at Hartsfield on Sunday.
ZPC Kariba are second on the log table with 41 points while Highlanders are tied with fourth-placed CAPS United on 39.
Makepekepe are still in the race, with a good chance, and they will be looking to put behind them the problems that rocked their team at the weekend as they travel to Rimuka for a tough date against Black Rhinos.
The Green Machine played a goalless home draw with How Mine when presented with a good chance to slash the gap between them and leaders Dynamos to just two points.
The result triggered unrest among a section of the club’s supporters who turned violent against their own players and coach Taurai Mangwiro at Rufaro on Sunday.
Fixtures
Friday: Bantu Rovers v Hwange (Hartsfield)
Saturday: How Mine v Chicken Inn (Hartsfield), FC Platinum v Buffaloes (Mandava), Chapungu v Chiredzi (Ascot), Black Rhinos v CAPS United (Rimuka)
Sunday: Dynamos v Shabanie (Rufaro), Triangle v Harare City (Gibbo), Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Hartsfield)
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