DYNAMOS coach Genesis Mangombe is expecting a tough match against Ngezi Platinum Stars in the Chibuku Super Cup final scheduled for December 3.
The Harare giants booked themselves a ticket to the final of the country’s only knockout cup competition after beating Caps United 2-0 in Sunday’s semi-final at the National Sports Stadium.
An Issa Sadiki goal from a set-piece and an Elton Chikona late strike handed DeMbare the huge victory, which could see them participate in next year’s Caf Confederations Cup.
With the latest victory, Mangombe’s men booked what promises to be an exciting final against Ngezi Platinum Stars set for Baobab Stadium on December 3.
The winner of this clash will also secure a ticket to represent the country in the Caf Confederations Cup next year.
But with Ngezi Platinum Stars sitting pretty at the top of the log standings in the league with five rounds of matches remaining, they are likely to contest in the lucrative Caf Champions League next season.
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If Ngezi go on to win the league, Dynamos will play the Caf Confederations Cup even if they lose the Chibuku Super Cup final.
The Glamour Boys, second on the log table and eight points behind, albeit with a game in hand, still harbour chances of overtaking Ngezi to win the league championship and participate in the Champions League.
Mangombe is expecting a tough time when they face off against Ngezi Platinum Stars, who will enjoy the home advantage in this final.
“We are playing the final at Baobab, so it’s not going to be an easy game,” Mangombe said.
“It’s a tricky one. We beat them here, so they will be out to revenge. We are expecting the final to be tough.”
Asked to comment on his team’s chances of winning a league and cup double this season, Mangombe chose to be modest.
He said his immediate focus is on the team’s outstanding league fixture against fourth-placed Manica Diamonds at Gibbo Stadium tomorrow.
“If we can win both cups then it will be a bonus for us,” Mangombe said.
“We are taking each game as it comes. We are facing Manica Diamonds on Wednesday, so we have to focus on that game. If we win that, it would be good for us and we will see how it goes until the end of the season.”
Dynamos are aiming to end their nine-year trophy drought by either winning the league title or the Chibuku Super Cup, a trophy that they have not won in their history.
Winning either of the two titles will also see them return to continental club football for the first time in almost a decade.
After such a long time in the wilderness, DeMbare have been revived by Mangombe since his promotion to the helm a few months ago.
“Playing in Africa is a different ball altogether,” Mangombe warned.
“We will need the guys to know that when we play in the African safari, we need aggression and all sorts of other systems to be functioning well.”
Matchday 28 outstanding fixture
Tomorrow: Manica Diamonds v Dynamos (Gibbo)
Matchday 30 fixtures
Saturday: Green Fuel v Bulawayo Chiefs (Green Fuel Arena), Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve), Cranborne Bullets v Triangle (National Sports Stadium), Sheasham v Manica Diamonds (Bata), Simba Bhora v Herentals (Baobab)
Sunday: Dynamos v Black Rhinos (National Sports Stadium), Hwange v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Colliery), Highlanders v Caps United (Barbourfields), Yadah v ZPC Kariba (Baobab)