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Platinum, Dynamos and champions Motor Action move a gear up with an interesting schedule today and tomorrow.
FC Platinum could end the day on top of the table but they need to first find the winning formula against Blue Ribbon in a cagey assignment at Rufaro this afternoon.
Motor Action face the biggest test, among the three top teams, when they take on a wounded and dangerous CAPS United at Gwanzura tomorrow.
Dynamos, who are in third place, face Monomotapa at Rufaro tomorrow.
But with Motor Action’s match against CAPS United having been rescheduled for tomorrow, this is a perfect opportunity for Rahman Gumbo and his men to seize the initiative from the Mighty Bulls.
Gumbo and his charges will be battling to end a winless run of five games in the league race since their last victory two months ago.
But they will hope to build on the momentum from the 1-0 win over Black Mambas last week.
Club secretary Philemon Muvengwa said although they are eager to turn around their fortunes, they will not exert too much pressure on the team.
“The race has always been like that for the last six to seven weeks because of the competition in the league,” said Muvengwa.
“It’s tight at the top but the good thing is we are still in there fighting.
“I think you may agree with me that we have gone for a couple of games without winning and I believe that victory in the Mbada Diamonds Cup gave us the boost we needed.
“We hope to capitalise on that and continue winning the remaining games.
“But Blue Ribbon are not easy opponents as you can see from their result in the cup game last week.”
The Zvishavane platinum miners were 1-0 winners in the reverse fixture at home and they will hope the scorer of that solitary goal, Benjamin Marere, who has hit the nets six times this year, will be able to find his touch, while Joel Ngodzo will be expected to rise to the ocassion.
Midfielder Charles Sibanda is the team’s leading scorer with nine goals.
Blue Ribbon are currently sitting on eighth position with 29 points and coach Misheck Chidzambwa is eager to see his side back in a good position in the top half.
Their script of five winless matches reads almost the same as FC Platinum as they have also lost once and drawn four times since they last beat Dynamos 1-0 on July 31.
The Tamba Wakaguta Boys will miss their captain Daniel Kamunenga, who has been ruled out by a knee injury, and midfielder Simon Choenda currently recovering from an ankle strain.
“We have had a good preparation. We know that we are playing a good team who are on top of the table and we have to be on top of our game,” said Chidzambwa.
Dynamos, who revived their chances for the title by moving to within a point of the leaders, host Monomotapa at Rufaro tomorrow.
Manager Richard Chihoro yesterday said the Glamour Boys wanted to extend their winning run to five consecutive league games. DeMbare have maintained a 100 percent winning record since the arrival of Callisto Pasuwa just over a month ago.
They are coming from a morale boosting 1-0 win over bitter rivals CAPS United in the first round of the Mbada Diamonds Cup last week but will be without midfielder Denver Mukamba who has been suspended after accumulating three yellow cards.
But DeMbare have options with the availability of players like Tawanda Muparati, Archford Gutu, Murape Murape and Farayi Vimisayi.
Gutu came in as a substitute and changed DeMbare’s world on Sunday.
“I know the fans are expecting a lot from the team on Sunday but we should avoid putting these boys under pressure,” said Chihoro.
“The guys are all fired up and I urge our supporters to rally behind the team in all the remaining games.”
Monomotapa coach Taurai Mangwiro said his team was ready to play their part in the battle.
“Obviously we are a bit down but we haven’t been playing badly in all these matches. We were just unlucky but we are not pressing panic buttons yet.
“If we lose our next two or three games we might end up in the relegation zone and at the same time if we are to record a string of three or four wins we can as well be in the top five,” said Mangwiro.
They have all their players ready for the match except for striker Lincoln Samaraya, who is nursing an ankle injury, and Ronald Chitiyo who is serving his second match suspension after the expulsion against Shabanie Mine. Joey Antipas’ Motor Action are also looking for a winning formula and much will depend on star midfielder Allen Gahadzikwa who has been scoring for fun in recent weeks.
CAPS United will be hoping to bounce back from the disappointment of losing to Dynamos in the first round of the Mbada Cup but their key player David Rediyoni has been ruled out due to injury.
But in Evans Gwekwerere, CAPS United have a man who is in good form.
Gunners host Masvingo at Lafarge and could go into the top five, if they win and results elsewhere go their way, with Yuna Yuna coming to Harare under the guidance of Ralph Kawondera.
Earlier reports had indicated that they had engaged Lloyd Mutasa as coach but Masvingo officials clarified yesterday that they had hired Kawondera, who was Samaita’s assistant at Dynamos.
Fixtures
Today
Blue Ribbon v FC Platinum (Rufaro), Black Mambas v Highlanders (Morris Depot), Gunners v Masvingo (Lafarge), Shooting Stars v Hwange (Gwanzura)
Tomorrow
CAPS United v Motor Action (Gwanzura), Zimbabwe Saints v Chicken Inn (White City), Dynamos v Monomotapa (Rufgaro), Shabanie Mine v Kiglon (Maglas).
Online Reporter