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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
BLACK Rhinos coach Herbert Maruwa is hopeful influential captain Bruce Homora recovers in time for the army side’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League derby tie against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday. Homora has been out of action in the past two weeks with a hamstring strain he picked in the team’s goalless away stalemate to ZPC Kariba a fortnight ago.

The Warriors man missed the soldiers’ 1-2 defeat to Yadah last week, ironically the first loss by Rhinos in 10 consecutive outings.

The resurgent military men, sitting on eighth place on the log, having collected 29 points from 20 matches, have a new source of inspiration ahead of their battle with Lloyd Chitembwe’s charges after they recently received a $80 000 sponsorship package from telecommunication giants NetOne for the remainder of the season.

But it is Homora’s injury which is Maruwa’s major worry given that time is running out on the defender before his men face the Green Machine.

Though the central defender has already started light training, there are genuine fears that he might not pass a fitness test unless something dramatic happens during the remainder of the week.

The league resumes this weekend after a one week break to pave way for the harmonised elections.
“I am happy that Bruce (Homora) is back to training after he suffered a delicate hamstring injury about two weeks ago,” said Maruwa.

“He is training and he seems to be fighting hard. I really want him to be part of the team to take on CAPS United on Sunday.
“However, we will have to wait for the team doctors for guidance on the way forward. I am just hoping that he will be certified fit to play a role in our match against CAPS United.

“Homora is a fighter and a leader of the troops. We need those qualities in a high stakes match like this one against CAPS United,” Maruwa said.

Maruwa could be forced to partner either Augustine Mbara or Douglas Mbewe with regular centre-back Shadreck Jimu if Homora fails the late fitness test.

New signings Kibaki Dhlamini and Mcdonald Makuwe could also be thrust into action after their papers were successfully processed last week.

The duo who were both plugged from struggling Shabanie didn’t feature in the army team’s last encounter against Yadah a fortnight ago as their transfer papers were not yet in order.

CAPS United on the other hand will also unleash their new signing Mitchel Katsvairo as they hope to turn the corner.
Chitembwe’s men are winless since the resumption of the championship marathon, having played out three draws in as many matches in the second half of the season against Harare City, Bulawayo Chiefs and leaders FC Platinum.

In all of those fixtures, Makepekepe also failed to find the back of the net and Chitembwe will be hoping that Katsvairo will be the answer to the team’s scoring woes especially with striker Simba Nhivi having exited the club.

Makepekepe are fifth on the log with 32 points from 20 matches, 14 behind pacesetters FC Platinum.