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REIGNING Goalkeeper of the Year Tendai “Fish” Hove can only watch from the sidelines as wounded ZPC Kariba engage Caps United today in a key encounter for a side seeking to bounce back from a midweek slip at Chapungu.
ZPC Kariba lost 1-2 to Waru Waru at Ascot last Wednesday and remain on seven points after five rounds of action.
Hove had a dream Premiership debut last year when he was crowned the best keeper in the land, but a shoulder injury sustained towards the end of the season has put the Kwekwe-born goal-minder on ice.
The 27-year-old ‘keeper has been ruled out of action until the second half of the season and the unheralded Wilson Muchenje — who has already conceded eight goals in five matches — is expected to be between the sticks this afternoon.
ZPC Kariba were denied a historic league title by Caps United last year, when they fell 2-3 to a fired up Makepekepe on November 23 at a packed Gwanzura Stadium. No wonder why this fixture has become a grudge match.
Hove was not on the field that fateful day, and he will again miss a crucial encounter with Makepekepe.
He is challenging his teammates to win today’s clash “to at least atone for last year’s pain.”
“Caps United denied us a historic league title in November last year and winning against them (today) will be sweet revenge. I will not be part of the action but I will be there in spirit.
“Yes, we beat them in the Uhuru Cup third and fourth place play-off last Saturday but I think beating them in the league will be sweeter.
“It’s sad I cannot defend my Goalkeeper of the Year title but sometimes it is not about the individual but the team. Wilson (Muchenje) is doing well, we lost at Chapungu but I think the team is doing well.
“It is still early days yet, but I am sure we will be as good as we were last season. We have an astute coach in Saul Chaminuka and we have also brought in some good players like Magorimbo (Thomas) and Russy (Russel Madamombe),” said Hove.
The class one electrician is tipping Dynamos stopper Artwell Mukandi to go all the way and succeed him.
“So far credit should go to Artwell; he has been good and that is why Dynamos have conceded the least number of goals. He looks like he can go all the way and be the best ’keeper this year,” said Hove.
Meanwhile, Dynamos third-choice goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga insists that he made the right decision in moving from ZPC Kariba to the champions.
Mateyaunga would have been enjoying an extended run in the ZPC Kariba goal with Hove out injured, but is instead struggling for game time at DeMbare with Mukandi and Tatenda Mukuruva ahead of him in the pecking order.
“How can I regret a decision I made on my own? My focus is on Dynamos now and to think about what could have happened is wasting my time.
“I am happy with the way things are, in life one should learn to move on. I am convinced I made the right decision to join DeMbare.
“Yes, the competition is tough, both Mukandi and Mukuruva are brilliant ’keepers, but this kind of competition is healthy.
“My time will come and I must say I am lucky to have coaches who are not starving me that much,” said the 22-year old Mateyaunga.
Online Reporter