Having twice felled city rivals Highlanders, the Bulawayo-based side’s ability to maintain their run even against modest opposition will be put to test when the gold miners host on-fire title contenders Harare City on Sunday.
The match, scheduled for Luveve Stadium, comes exactly a week after the premiership new boys made history by ending the two year dominance of Dembare over the Mbada Diamonds Cup by knocking off the Harare giants in the quarter-final stage.
During the match, which broke hearts of the Dembare faithfuls, former Motor Action midfielder Thembani Masuku found the nets in the 28th minute – marking the beginning of turbulent times for the reigning league and cup champions. If Dembare had gone past How Mine and won the trophy for the third consecutive time, they would have been given permanent possession of the accolade.
Already, How Mine have won the “Giant Killers” tag but it will be this weekend that they will have to defend it when they face City who are some of the real contenders for the championship. City trail DeMbare by a point, while How Mine are a distant 9th with 32 points in 23 matches, nine behind their weekend opponents.
The Bulawayo-based miners carry the underdogs tag going to the match, but it remains to be seen if they will once again perform against the odds and set City off the rails, with seven games left in the season. Elsewhere, Dynamos will be hoping to collect maximum points against Beitbridge-based Tripple B in a weekend encounter in the capital. Highlanders will make the long trek to Kadoma for a clash with the army side Black Rhinos.
Shabhanie Mine host Monomotapa at Maglas Stadium in Zvishave with Buffaloes hosting Motor Action in Manicaland. In the eastern Highlands, Triangle will be hoping to outdo FC Platinum in order to completely move away from the murky waters of relegation, while Caps United and Black Mambas lock horns at Morris Depot grounds in the capital.
Post published in: Football