Dynamos brace for Bantu Rovers
IN-FORM Harare giants Dynamos say they are not moved that one of their key players Emmanuel Mandiranga will not be available for tonight’s Castle Lager Premiership clash against Bantu Rovers at the National Sports Stadium.
The match will kick-off at 7.30pm.
DeMbare assistant coach Biggie Zuze yesterday said they were still looking to build on their momentum after going on a perfect run of five straight wins.
A win tonight could see the Glamour Boys climbing to the top of the table for the first time this season.
Mandiranga is among the nine players who have been handed suspensions this week after accumulating three yellow cards.
Mandiranga’s suspension comes at a time the Glamour Boys are also grappling with an injury blow to another key forward Quality Kangadze.
“It’s bad to lose players through injury and suspension, but we have to move on. When certain key players are not available that’s when a team’s depth or lack of it is seen,’’ said Zuze.
“I think we have the replacements and it now goes down to the player who has been given the chance to play to show what he is made of. I am sure they will deliver.
“But it’s sad Mandiranga got suspended when he was beginning to enjoy his game and to settle in the Dynamos colours. With Quality, we had underestimated the extent of his injury. We actually discovered it was worse than initially thought.
“No doubt, these guys have contributed a lot to where we are right now this season. You have seen how they have been scoring goals.”
Dynamos are coming from a 4-3 home win over Bulawayo City and they are looking to make it six wins on the trot following the victories over Harare City, ZPC Kariba, Tsholotsho and Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Their attack has been one of the most prolific with man-ofthe-moment Christian Epoupa of Cameroon enjoying the support of midfielders Denver Mukamba, Cleopas Kapupurika and Mandiranga.
“Probably the biggest issue we have to deal with is complacency. We have to be positive always and remembering that our opponents also need respect because they are also in it to compete.
“Bantu Rovers may have struggled, but we don’t have to forget what they can do on a good day. They are the only team that have scored seven goals in a match this season,” said Zuze.
Veteran defender Tapiwa Khumbuyani said the Bulawayo outfit has a plan for the match as they are looking to tighten the defence.
“Obviously, we are going there as underdogs so we don’t have that pressure. But, obviously, we would want to get positive results.
“They have been scoring goals so we would need to be tight at the back so that we don’t concede goals,” said Khumbuyani.
The visitors were yesterday fretting over the availability of experienced defender Dumisani Ndlovu who was scheduled to take a late fitness test.
Ndlovu suffered a groin injury in the 1-0 loss to Chapungu last weekend.
Another defender David Mubayiwa was shown a red card in the match and will not be eligible for selection this evening.
Yadah have been the most affected team by suspensions this week as they are set to be without the duo of Wellington Kamudyariwa and leftback Brian Chikwenya in the match against Highlanders at Barbourfields on Sunday.
The newboys are coming from a morale-boosting 2-0 win over champions CAPS United during midweek.
Bosso will be without defender Benson Phiri through suspension.
Suspended players
Livingstone Genti (Chapungu), Morris Kadzola (Bulawayo City), Emmanuel Mandiranga (Dynamos), Darryl Nyandoro (Chicken Inn), Munyaradzi Kunyarimwe (ZPC Kariba), Clayton Phiri (Hwange), Benson Phiri (Highlanders), Brian Chikwenya (Yadah), Wellington Kamudyariwa (Yadah).