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Bigboy Mawiwi

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE City coach Bigboy Mawiwi says they will not be hoodwinked into complacency by Monomotapa’s poor run in the league competition this year when the sides clash tomorrow in a first round derby of the Mbada Diamonds Cup at Rufaro.
The Sunshine Boys, who should be ranked among the dark horses in this competition, have many things to prove to the domestic football fraternity following a super start to the 2013 season.

Harare City are currently second on the log standings and if form is anything to go by, they should fancy themselves to accept the favourites tag ahead of Monomotapa who were silver medalists in this competition last year.

However, Mawiwi this week told The Herald that Monomotapa are a different kettle of fish when it comes to cup competitions.
“This is a game we have to win if we hope to go further in this tournament but it’s going to be a tough, I am sure,” he said.

“Monomotapa have been consistent in cup games of late. They were finalists last year and they also reached the semi-finals of the BancABC Sup8r Cup this year.

“They always do well in cup competitions and it just shows what kind of opposition they are. So we are preparing seriously for this game. The whole team is looking forward to it but we shall try to give a run to the other players who otherwise have not been playing regularly in our league games,” said Mawiwi.

Harare City have a solid squad after acquiring nine players at the beginning of the season and Mawiwi can afford to rotate his players.
City brought in former Monomotapa players Tendai Ngulube and Osbourne Mukuradare; former Dynamos striker Martin Vengesayi and David Kutyauripo; ex-Buffaloes midfielder Phineas Bamusi; William Manondo, formerly with FC Platinum; James Jamu from Motor Action; former Quelaton defender Sibusiso Sibanda; ex-Gunners midfielder James Madora and former DStv midfielder Witness Savanhu, among others.

But there were injury worries over the diminutive Bamusi and Talent Chawapiwa who were both down with hamstring problems.
The duo was doing light training during the week and will be assessed by the team’s medical department to see if they can play tomorrow.
Monomotapa, on the other hand, have a clean bill of health following the return of Obey Mwerahari, who was injured in the match against Highlanders, Lawrence Mhlanga and another defender Jimmy Tigere.

Coach Biggie Zuze said they are looking forward to some positive play as they look for their first ever win over Harare City in the Premiership. City have collected six points from Monomotapa this year to make it three league wins over Monos from the previous season while one match between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw.

“Our preparations have been going on well although we faced a few challenges here and there,” said Zuze.
“I am happy that the players are showing a great deal of seriousness although City have been a difficult side to beat for us this year.
“It’s unfortunate that the last game that we played against them we lost 1-0 although I felt we should have got something out of it. I respect Harare City for a number of reasons. They have a very good squad with pace and youngsters as well,” added Zuze.

Gate charges have been pegged at US$1 for the cheapest ticket for all the matches.

Mbada Diamonds Cup Fixtures

Today: CAPS United v Motor Action (Sakubva), Shabanie Mine v Chicken Inn (Mandava), Black Mambas v Buffaloes (Rimuka)
Tomorrow: Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery), Dynamos v Tripple B (Gibbo), How Mine v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields 1pm), Highlanders v Triangle (Barbourfields 3pm), Harare City v Monoz (Rufaro)