Is This The Decider?

DECIDEREllina Mhlanga and Takudzwa Chitsiga
IT’S the big one at the National Sports Stadium today and Dynamos could be crowned champions, for the fourth straight time, cementing Callisto Pasuwa’s legendary status, or ZPC Kariba could spoil their party and, effectively, take their maiden crown.

Dynamos chairman Kenny Mubaiwa yesterday said the Castle Lager Premiership championship race would not be decided today, giving the impression that he expects a draw in this tough match, but everything appears to suggest that we will have a winner.

“We have been preparing for this game and I think we have done enough preparations,” said Mubaiwa, whose chairmanship has reaped three titles in three years for the Glamour Boys.

“We are ready for this game. We are saying let’s win this game tomorrow (today). People are saying it’s a decider (for the league) but it’s not, there is still another game where we will play How Mine but we have to win this one first.”

Dynamos lost 0-1 to ZPC in the reverse fixture and Mubaiwa is confident the Glamour Boys will rise to the challenge today against an opponent unbeaten in the capital all season.

If DeMbare win, then they are champions, if ZPC Kariba win, then they effectively win the title and if the game ends in a draw then the Glamour Boys will have the advantage of needing a win, at home, against How Mine to be champions.

DeMbare have a number of players who have played in such big matches before with skipper Murape Murape leading the way but it is the diminutive Ronald Chitiyo, who was misfiring in their last tie against Bantu Rovers, who is expected to provide the fireworks.

Chitiyo has had a good season and if he is on song then chances are that the Glamour Boys could get the result that they want. DeMbare have won their last three league titles on goal difference but now they face a side that has a better goal difference than them and who have veterans who believe that this is their time to make a big mark. Murape yesterday said the club leadership barred them from talking to the media. The DeMbare defence has stood firm, with the only question being who gets the nod to be in goals between schoolboy Tatenda Mukuruva and Artwell Mukandi, one of a number of former Monomotapa players who have a chance to win gold. Augustine Mbara has been solid all season in a back-line that has been a rock but it’s in midfield where this game is likely to be fought and, if there are concerns in the Glamour Boys’ camp, then they centre around a strike-force that hasn’t really fired all season.

ZPC Kariba insisted that they were ready for their showdown against DeMbare.

They arrived in Harare around midnight on Thursday from their base in Kariba, and said they were on a mission to make one giant leap forward and all but win their first league title in their first season in the Premiership. Black Rhinos were the last team to achieve a similar feat 30 years ago, which goes to show how difficult it is to do what ZPC Kariba, who seem to have the support of the entire Premiership save for the DeMbare camp, are about to achieve should they stand the heat and defeat the Glamour Boys for the second time this season.

Saul Chaminuka, the ZPC Kariba coach, rallied his players to produce one mighty effort this afternoon against the defending champions after they impressed in their 3-2 win over Harare City in their last game at Rufaro.

“We are more than ready for the encounter and we hope we will come out with a good result,” said Chaminuka, who was the CAPS United assistant coach last season before deciding to try his luck on his own once again. “We have seasoned players who played at this big stage before and I hope they are going to steer us to victory come tomorrow (today). The players should go out and enjoy the game.”

The Kariba-based side have some seasoned players who did well throughout the season.

Chaminuka, who took his team through their paces at the giant stadium yesterday, said they were focused for the big showdown.

“We would have loved a situation where we would have been in Harare some days before the encounter so that we can utilise the match venue but that has not been the case,” said Chaminuka, who can expect support from the CAPS United and Bosso fans in the capital. “The National Sports Stadium is not new to the players so we will not take that as an excuse but it could affect us a little bit.” ZPC Kariba have played the majority of their home games at the compact Gwanzura pitch and now plunge onto the open spaces of the giant stadium. They boast some of the outstanding players this season with veterans Pride Tafirenyika, who has turned himself into a diamond once again, and the ageless Limited Chikafa, who has a knack of scoring some crucial goals, leading the way. There was concern over Chikafa after he was injured in their last game, having scored twice, but the paceman could be back for the big one.

Tawanda Munyanduri, who has been the skipper of the side in the absence of goalkeeper Tendai Hove, has been a tower of strength in the company of the outstanding Elvis Meleka, who returned home after dominating Botswana football in the past few years.

ZPC also have a good defence, well marshalled by the find-of-the-season Dennis Dauda who has stood firm at the heart of the back four and whose partnership with the uncompromising Ephraim Mwinga has flourished.

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