League preview

WHAT Taurai Mangwiro the Harare City gaffer failed to do as CAPS United coach in the last two seasons was to beat Dynamos in a league match.
Tomorrow, the defending champions stand in his way again in a Week Six Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture.
He has a good team on paper expensively assembled.
The Sunshine Boys, as the municipal-owned side are affectionately known, have managed one victory in six meetings with Dembare.
Four matches ended in Dynamos’ favour while one was a goalless draw.
On the power-scale, Dynamos are the favourites as odds point to the defending champions.
With Mangwiro failing most assignments against Dembare and Harare City ‘traditionally’ playing second fiddle to the Harare giants, there is a high likelihood that the defending champions will collect maximum points.
Tafadzwa Dube is likely to be the first choice goalkeeper while David Kutyauripo might command the central defence partnered by Themba Ndlovu.
The central defence duo are former Dynamos players.
Arnold Chivheya is another defence option depending on how Mangwiro plays his cards.
Tendai Samanja who has returned from injury is likely to earn a defensive link role.
The dreadlocked midfielder followed Mangwiro to Harare City from CAPS United together with Honey Chimutimunzeve and Nicholas Alifandika.
Gangly striker Francisco Zekumbawire is likely to be the man upfront while Martin Vengesai may play the gunman role depending on the selection choice of the technical team.
Mangwiro may opt for a lone striker in Zekumbawire as the former Hwange forward is good with ball control and holding.
However, the injury prone Zekumbawire has not managed to show his full ability owing to a string of injuries.
He is also a former Dembare player.
David Mandigora’s Dynamos are yet to suffer defeat in the league after five games conceding one goal in the process.
CAPS United’s George Nyirenda broke the water-tight Dembare defence to score during the Harare derby early this month.
Mandigora’s approach to the game will be defensive.
He will probably play his traditional defensive 4-4-2 formation.
Augustine Mbara and Sidney Linyama might be the defence pillars with central roles while Blessing Moyo or Allen Murwira are the right back options.
Murwira is more effective in the midfield and Mandigora might have the former Shabanie Mine playing as an attacking midfielder while Moyo complements him on the right back.
With that combination in place the right flank will be the cradle of Dembare attacks.
On the left flank might be Carlos Rusere as Ocean Mushure and Qadr Amini are injured.
Milton Makopa or Stephen Alimenda can play the defensive link role while Ronald Chitiyo leads the attack playing behind the strikers.
Chitiyo has been free-scoring in most matches saving the day for the defending champions.
Elsewhere, Vengere Stadium in Rusape host Highlanders on Sunday.
The travellers are favourites but the debutants, Dongo Sawmill, are expected to put up a big fight in their backyard as they seek a first victory.
The former Division One side are yet to collect maximum points with their best performance so far being a scoring draw against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.
Chicken Inn and How Mine face-off in a Bulawayo derby at Luveve Stadium in a potential thriller tomorrow.
How Mine have won two matches so far.
The Joey Antipas-coached Chicken Inn have won four of their five matches losing one against Harare City and are likely to walk away with three points if they maintain their form.
Their last victory was at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane against FC Platinum.
Kelvin Kaindu’s Triangle FC make the long trip to the capital to face debutants Flame Lily at LaFarge Stadium tomorrow.
The prison wardens are yet to taste victory since their promotion managing two draws in five matches.
Whawha FC another prisons side host FC Platinum at Ascot Stadium in Gweru in a Midlands derby tomorrow.
Struggling CAPS United meet ZPC Kariba for the second time in seven days after the two met in an Independence Cup third place play off last Saturday.
ZPC Kariba won the match.
ZPC Kariba will seek to avenge the 2-3 loss they suffered last season at the hands of CAPS United that cost them the league title.
The Power company side needed a draw to clinch the title on goal difference, but that was not the case as United came out guns blazing outwitting the debutants.
The problems at CAPS United –which do not seem to get any better – will certainly affect the morale in the Green Machine camp.
Debutants Tsholotsho Pirates who have managed two victories in five games, host Buffaloes at White City Stadium in Bulawayo in a match that can go either way.
However, Buffaloes are not in the best form as the army side are yet to collect maximum points in five games.
Chapungu play host to Hwange who have had a subdued performance so far.
The match will be played at Ascot Stadium and puts a lid to weekend action.