BEWARE DEMBARE!…Soldiers gun for coveted ZDF trophy

gunners
Sports Reporter

CHAPUNGU Football club coach John Nyikadzino, who will be in charge of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Select Team against Dynamos this afternoon at the National Sports Stadium, has promised an exciting game from the armed forces. He warned the reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions he will field experienced players as they mark their special day. Dynamos have also said they will field a full strength squad as they prepare for their weekend league match against ZPC Kariba.

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces Select side usually plays select sides from neighbouring countries and last year they beat Namibia Select 3-1 while the previous year they also prevailed 3-0 against Zambia.

However, this year they take on the league champions Dynamos.

As per tradition players featuring for the Defence Forces Select side have been drawn from the Air force Premiership side Chapungu, army Premiership side Buffaloes and another army side which is plying its trade in the Northern Region Division One League Black Rhinos following their relegation from the top flight season last year.

Former Dynamos forward Phillip Marufu and other experienced players such as Buffaloes’ Jacob Muzokomba will feature in the Defence Forces Select team.

Nyikadzino, who is also basking in the glory of having progressed to the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup with the airmen, said they are excited to play Dynamos.

“Preparations have gone on very well and we’ve quite an experienced side considering we’ve many defence forces teams. It was even difficult to come up with a squad.

“But basically Chapungu, Black Rhinos and Buffaloes are providing the bulk of the players and expect to see a number of seasoned players such as Marufu and Muzokomba.

“We’re facing the biggest club in Zimbabwe, they’re a good side and we’re happy to play Dynamos on this special day for us when we’re celebrating our day and we just hope we’ll play entertaining football as we know a lot of people will come to watch the match,” he said.

DeMbare are also going into this match in high spirits after they managed to progress to the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup following their 1-0 win over Whawha in a tightly contested match at Rufaro on Saturday.

Team manager Richard Chihoro said they are geared up for the match against the defence team which should give them tough competition.

“We’re fielding a full strength team and we aren’t resting any players who were active over the weekend as we want them to get used to the combinations being tried,” said Chihoro.

The champions will be without midfielder Ronald Chitiyo who is not yet fully fit and also did not also play in the Saturday match after he started training with the team last week.

The midfielder last played in a league match against Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium where he scored a brace.

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