The Sunday News
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
NEWLY constructed Beitbridge Town’s Mabidi Sports Arena will play host to Harare soccer giants Dynamos Football Club’s friendly match against Dulivhadzimu United this afternoon.
The former Premiership champions DeMbare invade the border town as they wrap up their pre-season training at the invite of their Beitbridge based supporters. DeMbare’s visit to the border town comes less than a month after their nemesis Highlanders set up a five-day pre-season camp which they wrapped up with two friendly matches against Central Region Soccer League side Dulivhadzimu United.
With the 2023 edition of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season kicking off on 18 March, Dynamos’ hosts have vowed to give the Harare giants a good run for their money. Stanley Ncube, Dulivhadzimu United’s coach said the game against Dynamos gives his team an opportunity to assess their readiness for the first division season.
“Our pre-season has been going on well and we’ve been fortunate to get real tests from seasoned teams like Highlanders and Dynamos. Bosso gave us a good game. We won 2-1 against Blanket Mine, a first division side last weekend and we’ve played a number of Division Two teams. Now Dynamos are coming, everyone is excited, the boys are excited and as the technical team, we want to see what needs to be corrected before the season starts. Dynamos should expect a good game from us,” said Ncube.
On their visit to Beitbridge, Bosso drew the first game 3-3 and won 3-2 in the second match.
Dulivhadzimu United will look to former Highlanders goalkeeper Josphat Sibanda, central defender Meki Meki formerly with FC Platinum Under-19, defensive midfielder Munashe Bamara, forwards Den Sithole and Leroy Rokuda as well as former national Under-17 utility player Mathew Gusere. Dynamos, who open their 2023 PSL account with a trip to Hwange, will play in Beitbridge hot weather conditions almost similar to those in Hwange. Dynamos coach, Herbert Maruwa, has described the pre-season as satisfactory and he is looking forward to the upcoming season.
“So far so good, we can’t complain,” he said.
DeMbare have signed over 10 players who include Denver Mukamba, Eli Ilunga, Arthur “Diego” Musiyiwa, Kevin and Elvis Moyo as well as Nyasha Chintuli. Tanaka “Kante” Shandirwa, Donald Mudadi, Tendai Matindife and Keith Madera are also now at Dynamos. Central midfielder Shandirwa, has been a shining light for DeMbare in the pre-season games they have played. DeMbare have so far played Division Two side Mabvuku United, Sheasham, Cranborne Bullets and Black Rhinos.
They beat Rhinos 2-1 at Chinhoyi Stadium a fortnight ago with Emmanuel Paga and Elvis Moyo on target.
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