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Paul Mundandi Zvishavane Correspondent
SHABANIE Mine coach John Phiri has come out with all guns blazing ahead of the explosive derby match against rivals FC Platinum tomorrow afternoon at Mandava Stadium.
The asbestos miners will be playing away from their favourite Maglas Stadium but fans declared in 2011 that Mandava is their second home and they will never feel threatened as long they are playing in Zvishavane.

“I am relaxed ahead of my first league derby match and fans must come and enjoy football.

“I just want to prove that money can’t buy everything. It is a fact that as Shabanie we have very little resources but that is no excuse for failing to produce positive results,” said Phiri.

Early this year Phiri lost 3-1 to the platinum miners in the Cephas Msipa Scholarship Trust Charity Shield.

Allan Tavariswa is yet to show what he is made of and if he does that on Saturday he can easily become the darling of Zvishavane town.
Douglas Sibanda a former Highlanders defensive midfielder has been the heart and soul of the miners and when other players went on strike, he openly told them that he had come to Zvishavane to play football only and not to engage in collective job action.

He will be ably assisted by Mzilikazi born Marvelous Dikinya who with just two games, is now the man to watch in the Shabanie Mine attack.

“I do not fear Lloyd (Mutasa) but I respect him. He has done very well at FC Platinum and he has my respect for that. He is my good friend but on the day we are going to fight for 90 minutes. I do not fear any player in his squad because players in the league are at the same level,” said Phiri.

The asbestos miners gaffer left FC Platinum in 2012 where he was the club’s juniors coach.

Shabanie Mine commands a big following in the mining town and its rivalry with FC Platinum is at times exciting. When Shabanie lost their first match at home last Sunday FC Platinum fans celebrated the loss driving their cars at high speed and hooting.

On the other hand Shabanie always offers its support freely to the visiting teams at Mandava where they normally outnumber the Platinum fans and at times they even request visiting teams not to bring fans as they would always do that freely.

It is a scenario that has made the rivalry to be the best in Zimbabwe.

Forget about Caps United/Dynamos or Highlanders/Zimbabwe Saints.

Nothing has been put at stake for Shabanie Mine players but its common knowledge that if the team wins they will get a lot of money from the small-scale miners in Mberengwa and Zvishavane who rally behind the team and chief among them will be Samson “Sam Dread” Gondwe who is now a director for the team.

Meanwhile, FC Platinum assistant coach Ralph Kawondera is also confident of a victory when he takes charge of the ninth edition of the Zvishavane derby.

The 48-year-old Kawondera was in charge last week and is likely to call the shots again tomorrow in the absence of head coach Lloyd Mutasa who is attending a CAF A license course in Harare.

FC Platinum played a goalless draw with Chapungu last Saturday and Kawondera is brimming with confidence that his side will collect maximum points against their neighbours who are struggling financially though they boast a number of fans and committed players who play as a unit.

“Derbies are very difficult but we want to advise Shabanie Mine that we are physically and mentally prepared for the match. We need nothing short of a victory,” he said.

FC Platinum are likely to be boosted by the form of goalkeeper Petros Mhari who saved a penalty at Ascot Stadium last week. His defence remains a major concern especially on the right back where Gift Bello has replaced the hard working Simon Shoko.

Rapheal Muduviwa is back from injury and would want to reclaim his place as well as the Moyo twins Kelvin and Elvis.

The duo have reportedly expressed their wish to rejoin Bantu Rovers.