Premiership campaign with the majority of his players fit again and available for Sunday’s clash against Zimbabwe Saints at Rufaro.
DeMbare, just like the rest of the top-flight teams have been inactive in the last two weeks owing to an international break and the recess that was created to make way for the staging of the BancABC Sup8r final between Highlanders and Motor Action at Barbourfields.

But the Glamour Boys, who have burst back into the reckoning for the championship race after a three-match unbeaten run since Pasuwa’s arrival, have not really rested during that break.
Pasuwa said yesterday although he would have wanted his team’s resurgence to continue without a break, he took comfort from the fact that the recess affected just about every club in the league.
Crucially, for the DeMbare coach is that he has welcomed back almost everyone with long-term injury casualty and skipper Desmond Maringwa, the only notable absentee.
Pasuwa revealed that he was particularly impressed with the progress that the midfield pair of Milton Makopa and Tawanda Muparati had shown since their recovery from injuries.

“I would have loved to have continued with the games but there was nothing we could do and just like everyone else we had to observe the break.
“I hope the guys continue from where we left off against Gunners.
“But I am happy that we have everybody back now and in fact my head is cracking in that those players who had been holding fort have been doing well and we also have the likes of Milton Makopa

and Tawanda Muparati who have also fully recovered and doing very well at training.
“I suppose as a coach it is the kind of positive headache that you would want and I hope the guys will maintain their rhythm when we play Zimbabwe Saints,” Pasuwa said.
Saints are one of Dynamos’ bogey sides and with the Bulawayo outfit handing DeMbare then under Lloyd Mutasa, a 1-0 defeat at Barbourfields via Abraham Mbaiwa’s strike.

While Dynamos are still in the hunt for the title, Saints are not yet out of the drop zone and with both sides eager for full points, an explosive encounter is on the cards at Rufaro.
Another explosive encounter is on the cards in Zvishavane when second-placed FC Platinum host CAPS United at Mandava.
The expensively-assembled Platinum miners’ secretary Phil Muwengwa believes they will get one of the two slots reserved for Zimbabwe in the Champions League should they fail to land the ultimate prize.

FC Platinum are second on the log table, tied on 42 points with log leaders and defending champions Motor Action.
On Saturday, FC Platinum host CAPS United at Mandava knowing that any result other than a win will complicate their bid for the chances of winning the championship.
The moneybags have not won in their last four games, winning just three points out of possible 12.

Rahman Gumbo’s side lost to 1-0 to Highlanders during round 19 while their three games against Zimbabwe Saints, Motor Action and Chicken Inn ended in draws.
“We have never made a revision of our targets from the start of the season.
“The target was to play in the Champions League and we are prepared and going to play in it,” said Muwengwa.
Muwengwa is aware that the race is getting tougher as teams at the top battle for the crown while those at the bottom seek to move steer clear of the chop.

“We know its going to be a very tight race in the last eight games.
“But most of our players are experienced,” said Muwengwa.
The club’s spokesperson believes the two-week break by the league was a blessing in disguise to Gumbo and his charges.
“The break was an opportunity for almost all clubs to refresh,” he said.

FC Platinum will be facing the Green Machine without towering defender Daniel Veremu who is suspended but Muwengwa is upbeat of their chances.
“So far, so good and we should be finding the last segment of the season with excitement because that is when everything happens.
“CAPS United are a good side and a more established institution than FC Platinum and we respect them for that.

“We know what they are capable of doing on a good day.”
Players on suspension Round 23

Passmore Benard, Conrad Whitby, Isaac masame (Motor Action), Bruce Thsuma, Lawson Nkomo, Eric Mudzingwa, (Highlanders), Herbert Dick (Chicken Inn), Rodwell Chinyengetere, Vincent Mhango (Hwange), Daniel Veremu (FC Platinum), Convenience Hungwe (Black Mambas)

Fixtures
Saturday: Monoz v Gunners (Rufaro), Kiglon v Shooting Stars (Gwanzura), Motor Action v Chicken Inn (Motor Action Sports Club), FC Platinum v CAPS United (Mandava)
Sunday: Masvingo v Shabanie (Mucheke), Hwange v Black Mambas (Colliery), Dynamos v Zim Saints (Rufaro), Highlanders v Blue Ribbon (BF)

Castle Premiership Latest Log

Team P W D L F A Pts
Motor Action 22 11 9 2 27 10 42
FC Platinum 22 12 6 4 31 15 42
Dynamos 22 11 6 5 28 13 39
Highlanders 22 10 5 7 22 15 35
Chicken Inn 22 8 9 5 27 15 33
Hwange 22 8 7 7 18 17 31
Gunners 22 7 8 7 23 21 29
Blue Ribbon 22 6 11 5 28 27 29
CAPS Utd 22 8 4 10 33 28 28
Monoz 22 5 13 4 21 18 28
Masvingo 22 6 8 8 21 32 26
B/Mambas 22 7 4 11 19 31 25
Shabanie 22 5 8 9 20 36 23
S/Stars 22 6 3 13 23 38 21
Zim Saints 22 4 8 10 17 28 20
Kiglon 22 3 9 10 16 34 17

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