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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HOW MINE and Caps United will, at Luveve Stadium tomorrow, start a hectic Castle Lager Premiership Easter weekend that will see 14 matches being played over five days.Coming from wins in their last outings, How Mine and Caps United’s clash could not have come at a better time for the two teams’ players as they are still basking in glory and are full of confidence.

Makepekepe snatched a hard fought 1-0 win over Caf Confederations Cup participants FC Platinum while How Mine got a 2-1 win in a hostile environment away to Dongo Sawmills at Vengere Stadium.

Luke Masomere, the How Mine gaffer who sarcastically attributed his away win to bias against his players by the match referee, said they were focused on the match and looking forward to a positive result.

“It’s a different game altogether and we’re fully focused. We’re aware that our opponents have started very well and their technical bench is strong and naturally morale is high in their camp,” said Masomere.

He added that the media has been talking very highly about his side and that on its own, has made every team that plays against them to up their game.

“I know that Caps United are coming to Bulawayo to destroy How Mine because they believe we’re a mean machine after all those media reports but for me, Caps United is an assembled machine while How Mine is a machine still being assembled. We will try to stop them instead of them stopping us,” said Masomere.

Devon Chafa, according to Masomere is a doubtful starter after sustaining a swollen knee in South Africa where he had gone for trials.

Tawanda Muparati is still out while Thembani Masuku also has a swollen knee.

“I’m happy though that Charles Sibanda, Limited Chikafa and Benjamin Marere are responding well to treatment,” said Masomere.

Sibanda and Chikafa made cameo appearances against Dongo Sawmills.

Makepekepe are making a second trip to Bulawayo this year after they booted Bulawayo giants Highlanders out of the Bob91 elimination match and their coach Mark Harrison, would want to make Bulawayo his hunting ground.

He has led Caps United to two wins out of two so far and lies second on the table. He however refuses to be counted among the championship contenders.

“That’s out of the question (championship), for us a top four finish will be good enough and then next year, we go for the kill,” he said.

With a line up that has the controversial but talented Roderick “The Prince” Mutuma, Ronald Pfumbidzayi, experienced Leonard Tsipa, right back Hardlife Zvirekwi, Makepekepe have all the arsenal needed to match the gold miners, who, despite Masomere’s wordplay, are among the title favourites.

With the Harare derby against Dynamos, in which victory is undoubtedly sweeter than tomorrow’s, set for Monday, Caps United are likely to employ a cautious approach, probably waiting to pounce on a counter attack.

Meanwhile for the umpteenth time, the nomadic Masomere has appealed to football fans to desist from violence and hooliganism and learn to accept the outcome of the match.

“It’s really funny that those who coach and play are able to accept the result yet those who don’t even play refuse to do that. Football used to be a family sport but nowadays people are afraid to go with their young ones and this is uncalled for, we call upon football fans to shun violence,” he said.

 Easter weekend fixtures

Week Three

Tomorrow: How Mine v Caps United (Luveve Stadium) SS9

Friday: Whawha v Harare City (Ascot Stadium), Chicken Inn v Tsholotsho (Luveve Stadium), ZPC Kariba v Buffaloes (Gwanzura Stadium), Highlanders v Hwange (Barbourfields Stadium, SS9), Dynamos v Dongo Sawmills (National Sports Stadium), Triangle United v Chapungu (Gibbo Stadium)

Week Four

Sunday: Flame Lily v How Mine (Gwanzura Stadium, SS9)

Monday: Dongo Sawmills v Triangle United (Vengere Stadium), Chicken Inn v Whawha (Luveve Stadium), Caps United v Dynamos (National Sports Stadium, SS9), Tsholotsho v Hwange (White City Stadium), Chapungu v ZPC Kariba (Ascot Stadium), Buffaloes v Highlanders (Vengere Stadium)

Wednesday: FC Platinum v Flame Lily (Mandava Stadium)