Mukamba out of Rhinos clash
By Eddie Chikamhi
Dynamos will have to do without key midfielder Denver Mukamba again tomorrow as he has been ruled out of the match against Black Rhinos at Rufaro due to an undisclosed illness.
Mukamba was expected to bounce back into the team this week after missing the Rufaro homecoming match against Triangle at Rufaro last Sunday serving suspension for amassing three yellow cards.
However, the midfielder has not been training this week as he was reportedly down with an illness suspected to be flu.
DeMbare coach Lloyd Mutasa yesterday said chances were slim that Mukamba will be available for the match.
Goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga and striker Quality Kangadze are also still out with injuries.
“Denver isn’t feeling well. He hasn’t been able to train the whole week and I am not sure he will make it,” said Mutasa.
“Otherwise the rest of the team is up and about probably save for those injured guys Quality and Tonderai.
“The encouraging news is that Quality has been doing some light training this week, but overall these guys still need some time to recover and will not be considered for the coming game.”
Technically, Dynamos will be the away team tomorrow, but they are likely to be more at home than Black Rhinos.
The Harare giants suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of the army side in the reverse fixture.
Dynamos marked their return to Rufaro last week with a 2-1 win over Triangle while Rhinos were lamenting their second big loss in as many matches.
Rhinos, who were one of the best defensive teams in the first half of the season, returned from the mid-season break porous as they have conceded seven goals in the last two matches.
The army suffered a 4-2 hiding at the hands of visiting Ngezi Platinum Stars before crashing to a 3-0 hiding at Chapungu last week. However, Mutasa is not looking much into that.
“We are expecting a tough match against Black Rhinos. Remember the last time we played them we didn’t get a point from that match.
“If my memory serves me well, that time we were struggling to score goals in our matches. It was difficult then, but this is the second round and we obviously expect to get something from this match.
“Rhinos are not a bad team. However, I am sure we also now have a team that is capable of playing well, creating chances and scoring goals,” said Mutasa.
DeMbare have signed three new players Godfrey Mukambi, Jimmy Konono and striker Thembinkosi Simango.
Former Tsholotsho utility man Mukambi has been outstanding in training and could get his debut tomorrow in the right back position as Peace Makaha is not 100 percent fit because of a groin problem.
Dynamos are currently fourth on the log standings with 33 points while Rhinos, who were one of the early pacesetters in the race, have lost ground.
Another interesting tie is expected at Luveve where high-flying Ngezi Platinum Stars face How Mine.
Newboys Yadah host Tsholotsho at Morris Depot tomorrow.
Castle Lager Premiership Fixtures
Tomorrow: Bulawayo City v Shabanie Mine (Barbourfields), Yadah v Tsholotsho (Morris Depot), How Mine v Ngezi Platinum (Luveve), FC Platinum v Chicken Inn (Mandava), Black Rhinos v Dynamos (Rufaro)
Sunday: Highlanders v Harare City (Barbourfields), CAPS United v ZPC Kariba (NSS), Hwange v Chapungu (Colliery), Triangle United v Bantu Rovers (Gibbo). The Herald
