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Augustine Mbara

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HWANGE have over the years been a thorn in the flesh for champions Dynamos and the Glamour Boys skipper Augustine Mbara believes that they should be treated with respect when they arrive in the capital for a Castle Lager Premiership tie tomorrow.

DeMbare last tested league victory against their nemesis two years ago in a 2-0 win at Rufaro courtesy of a double by Washington Pakamisa.

The teams resumed their rivalry at Rufaro, just a week after they were inseparable in a 1-1 draw at the Colliery.

DeMbare need a win to enhance their chances in the championship race and Mbara believes they will have to work harder to get a positive result.

“For a long time Hwange have not been easy opponents for us.

But I am sure this time around we are going to put them in their place. It’s been long since we beat them.

“I am happy though that we managed to get a result in their backyard and that was a positive for us.

“We have been doing our homework during the week and I am sure we corrected our shortcomings and come Sunday we are looking forward to collecting three points,” said Mbara.

The Glamour Boys were yesterday looking to finalise the registration of their new players, Takesure Chinyama, Zivanai Mhanda and Richard Kawondera, with the hope of including them in tomorrow’s line-up.

Team manager Richard Chihoro also revealed they had started working on securing documentation for striker Rodreck Mutuma who has indicated he wants to rejoin the Glamour Boys after a short stint at rivals CAPS United.

However, DeMbare will be without the trio of Simba Nhivi, Masimba Mambare and goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi through injuries.

Midfield enforcer Stephen Alimenda is out after he was handed a three-match ban by the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee following his conviction on charges of insulting Tsholotsho medic Sibusisiwe Mthunzi during a league match at Rufaro in May.

Milton Makopa, Patrick Khumbula and Cliff Sekete will not play any part in the DeMbare campaign after they were off-loaded this week.

Coach David Mandigora will most likely have to revert to his trusted men, Walter Mukanga and Godknows Murwira, to anchor the midfield.

DeMbare are currently third in the championship race while Hwange have had a poor start this year and are sitting on 12th place after 15 games.

However, Hwange coach Nation Dube said the coal miners will not be pushovers.

Dube recounted the rivalry between the teams, which has been tense over the years, and said they were looking to take it up from where they left last week when they dominated play.

DeMbare needed a second half gift equaliser from Dominic Chungwa to escape with a point from the Colliery.

“We always play to win, so we are not coming there for a draw or to lose. The boys know what is expected of them but if it happens that we don’t win then that be it. It’s football.

“We have been preparing hard for this game. I told the boys that it’s still game on. We are not looking much into Dynamos.

“They have their own way of doing things and we are two different teams. I just hope that our players will play according to plan,” said Dube.

Hwange will be a depleted force as they will have to do without about five of their players.

The trio of Newman Sianchali, Phakamani Dube and Nkosana Siwela were involved in a road accident early this week and they have been ruled out of this tie.

Tonisani Sibelo and Isaac Masame are out injured but they will welcome their defender David Boriwondo who missed the first leg through suspension.