FAVOURITES Dynamos launch another bid for a maiden BancABC Sup8r final appearance when they host unpredictable Hwange in a quarter-final clash at Rufaro tomorrow.

Dynamos are still to lay their hands on the BancABC Cup since local financial giant ABC Holdings launched the tournament contested by the best eight teams at the end of each Premiership season.

DeMbare and their faithful have instead watched their city rivals CAPS United and Lengthens etch their names on the silvweare with the Happy People getting it right last year in their second sucessive attempt to win the trophy.

Hwange who have had a decent start to the season could also face a Dynamos backlash given that Elvis "Chuchu’’ Chiweshe’s men have now not won in their last three assignments.

A first Premiership defeat, a 2-1 loss to Motor Action was sandwiched between Champions League defeats by TP Mazembe at home and Esperance away.

Big-spending Congolese side TP Mazembe handed Dynamos a 2-0 defeat at the National Sports Stadium before the Group A woes continued with another 1-0 reverse at the hands of Esperance in Tunisia.

Hwange will be without the tactical guidance of their Zambian coach Tenant Chilumba who was seconded to attend a refresher course in Netherlands by the Football Association of Zambia for three weeks.

His deputy Brian Njovu will hold fort in his absence.

The last time the two teams met in a league match Hwange were at the receiving end after going down 2-0 courtesy of goals from Benjamin Marere and Guthrie Zhokinyu.

Marere, will however, not be available for tomorrow’s match due to injury.

Dynamos coach Chiweshe revealed that Marere is one of the three players who are nursing injuries while midfielder Farai Vimisayi and striker Cuthbert Malajila are not eligible because of disputes between Dynamos and their clubs Hwange and Chapungu.

Skipper Tafadzwa Maingire, who has of late been struggling to command a regular place in the Dynamos defence and midfielder Milton Makopa are also not available because of injuries.

But Chiweshe was still putting on a brave face and indicted that he was not demoralised by his players’ absence.

"We would like to use the bulk of the players that played in Tunisia with the exception of a few who are injured. We are taking the tournament seriously and the aim is to go all the way to the final.

"Vimisayi and Malajila are not eligible to play in these competitions but we have a huge pool to select our team from," said Chiweshe.

Vimisayi is still a Hwange player on a technicality but has indicated that he is no longer interested in turning out for the coalminers.

The Warriors fringe midfielder last Saturday featured for Dynamos in the game against Esperance but his move to DeMbare just like that of Malajila keeps being stalled by payment disputes between their clubs and Dynamos.

Hwange and Chapungu have been accusing Dynamos of reneging on the loan deals they have over the players.

Chiweshe however said he had enough personnel to plug in the gaps with Eddie Mashiri, Augustine Mbara, Nicholas Alufandika, Timire Mamvura, Philip Sithole and Dylan Chivandire all lining up to fight for places in the starting team.

But Hwange still maintained they could not be shaken easily.

Stand-in coach Njovu said he was not intimidated by the prospects of facing Dynamos away in front of a potentially hostile crowd at Rufaro.

"It’s going to be a tight game. Dynamos are a big team but there is no reason to fear them because this is a game of football.

"We are very prepared for them and we only need to play our normal game. At the end of the day the better team will win," said Njobvu.

Hwange have an almost clean bill of health with central defender David Boriwondo their only worry. Njobvu however said the injury was not serious and they were still hopeful that Boriwondo could recover in time.

Striker Gilbert Zulu has also been certified fit for the match after shaking off a knee injury.

Njobvu also has an option up front in former Zimbabwe Saints striker Rodwell Chinyengetere, whom Njobvu praised as a promising talent to watch.

In another quarterfinal match, CAPS United will face off with last year’s finalists Shooting Stars away at Sakubva this afternoon.

CAPS United have roped in six new players in their efforts to boost their squad.

They managed to bring on board Stephen Alimenda, Joel Luphahla, Godknows Mhangani, Ndumiso Khanye, Clive Kawinga and Graham Ncube.

The new signings could get their feel in the new set-up this afternoon.

CAPS United have also off-loaded five players who include Tendai Nyamadzawo, Pardon Marime and Blessing Mazorodze.

The other affected players are former Eastern Lions player Agrippa Mambodza and Audience Rundofa who has since joined Black Mambas.

Big striker Vincent Nzombe and Ronald Sengu who were believed to be part of the sacked players however, managed to survive the chop.

Team manager Wilson Mutekede said they were ready for today’s game with most of the new signings who were unveiled last week expected to be paraded in Mutare.

"Obviously we would like to do well in this tournament. We have prepared well and the new guys seem to have blended well in the establishment.

"They didn’t have trouble settling down and currently the mood in the camp is very encouraging.

"We are looking forward to the match but cup games are always tough because every team would want to lay hands on the trophy. But our aim is to perform well and get positive results," said Mutekede.

CAPS will be without striker Leonard Tsipa who is still nursing a knee injury sustained against Shabanie Mine about two months ago.

Midfielders Courage Denias and Pride Tafirenyika have also been sidelined by injuries.

Defending champions Lengthens will engage Gunners in a replay of the other quarter-final match on Monday.

Their match was abandoned last week due to bad light at Rimuka with the sides deadlocked at 1-1.

Premiership action will also be on show this afternoon when leaders Motor Action seek to consolidate their position at the top against champions Gunners at Motor Action Sports Club.

The Mighty Bulls are eyeing the championship while Gunners need to defend the title they won last year.

Eagles, who made their debut in the Premiership last year and finished the season in 10th position host Bulawayo giants Highlanders at Gwanzura.

Technical manager Friday Phiri who has seen his young Eagles side climb into the top five on the log said they will be out to cement their position among the chasing pack.

Unlike other teams which "dream big" in the elite league, Phiri said Eagles are in control of their own density at the moment.

"We are looking at remaining within the pack just above the middle of the table.

"At the moment we are doing fine and hope to keep the consistency," said Phiri.

Highlanders are certainly on a revenge mission while Eagles could earn the tag of being the Bulawayo giants’ new bogey side.

Phiri said Eagles had been a bit shaken after losing striker Clive Kawinga, Isaac Madziwa and goalkeeper Knowledge Jimu who were more experienced but indicated that they have put that behind them.

"We are a bit handicapped at the moment because we lost the players but we have others to fill the gaps.

"There are some youngsters we have recruited from the juniors who are capable replacements.

"They are promising," said the former CAPS United and Monomotapa coach.

While other clubs aim for a championship, Phiri has set his sights on a top eight finish.

"It will be okay if we finish in the top eight and maybe play in the Super 8 next year," Phiri said.

Fixtures

Premiership

Today: Eagles v Highlanders (Gwanzura), Motor Action v Gunners (Motor Action Sports Club)

Monday: Highlanders v Bantu Rovers (Barbourfields)

Tuesday: Kiglon v Dynamos (Rufaro)

BancABC

Today: Shooting Stars v CAPS United (Sakubva)

Tomorrow: Dynamos v Hwange (Rufaro)

Tuesday: Gunners v Lengthens (Rufaro)