Moses Chunga has tipped his former club Dynamos to lift this year’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer league title as the race enters the gruelling home stretch.
The Gunners coach comments came after he saw his club being torn apart by a resurgent Dynamos side at Lafarge stadium on Sunday.
Denver Mukamba’s brace sandwiched Rodrick Mutuma’s strike early in the second half while Gunners got their face saver via the boot of Michelle Katsvairo.
This was Calisto Pasuwa’s third win in a row since taking over from personal friend Lloyd Mutasa, and saw Dynamos closing the gap on the log leaders to just three points.
The Harare giants have amassed 39 points while the joint leaders Motor Action and FC Platinum now appear to be choking as the race enters the demanding final lap.
Motor Action have collected five points in the previous four matches, while moneybags FC Platinum have collected a paltry three from a possible 12 points.
While the leading pair continues to haggle, Dynamos on the other hand are smooth sailing.
Dynamos have managed to collect 10 points from their last four games, and Chunga believes that it is that consistence that will see them sneak to the title right under the nose of competitors.
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“After the weekend result it’s now a tough call as to who will win the championship. We have eight games remaining before the season ends and a team that does well in terms of maintaining consistence will have a better chance. But when I say consistence I don’t mean drawings games in succession, but getting maximum points on regular basis. Dynamos are doing well at the moment and if they can keep that momentum they have a better chance,” said Chunga after the Sunday match.
On his weekly column in a local daily paper, Chunga last week said the race for the title had been narrowed to just three teams: Dynamos, Motor Action and FC Platinum.
However, he said that will depend on the team that will maintain it’s tranquil on and off the field.
Already there are reports from Zvishavane that the FC Platinum ship is rocking after it emerged that assistant coach Philani Mabhena has been suspended following the team’s indifferent form of late.
It is not rosy either for Motor Action as their coach Joey Antipas and his assistant David George were given their marching orders in their goalless draw against Zimbabwe Saints at White City.
The two will now miss their team’s next two fixtures, at home to Chicken Inn that will be followed by a tricky away contest against Caps United. Second assistant coach Prince Matore will be holding fort in the meantime.
What makes the title race matrix more interesting is that the three teams still have to clash against each other.
They will also have to meet the so-called big teams in local football.
In the eight rounds of games remaining for all teams, Dynamos still have to play Highlanders, Motor Action, FC Platinum and their bogey side Kiglon, matches that will definitely have a huge bearing on the Harare giants’ title aspirations this season.
Two trips to Hwange and Masvingo United could also prove problematic for Pasuwa’s side.
Motor Action will have to pass the Caps United, Dynamos and Gunners test while a trip to Shabanie Mine is a potential banana skin for the Mighty Bulls. But it is FC Platinum’s remaining fixtures which look more intimidating.
The cash-rich club will have to meet Caps United next, have to travel to Lafarge to meet Gunners, will battle it out with Shabanie in a Zvishavane derby while a clash against another title hopeful Dynamos is the last fixture they would want.
A match against party spoilers Monomotapa is also on the horizon for the Rahman Gumbo coached side.
Top three’s remaining matches
Motor Action: Chicken Inn (home), Caps United (away), Blue Ribbon (home), Shabanie (away), Shooting Stars (home), Dynamos (away), Gunners (home), Black Mambas (away). FC Platinum: Caps United (home), Blue Ribbon (away), Black Mambas (home), Gunners (away), Shabanie Mine (home), Monomotapa (away), Dynamos (home), Shooting Stars (away) Dynamos: Zimbabwe Saints (home), Monomotapa (home), Masvingo United (away), Highlanders (home), Hwange (away), Motor Action (home), FC Platinum (away), Kiglon (home)
