Despite the 4-0 bamboozling of Zimbabwe Saints on Sunday, Dynamos have remained cautious over their chances of winning the Castle Lager Premiership football title ahead of defending champions Motor Action and FC Platinum.
This, understandably, is to ward off any pressure on the players and coach Callisto Pasuwa.
Pasuwa’s assistant Tonderai Ndiraya has “ruled out” his team’s chances of snatching the title this season despite closing the gap to just one point from the wobbling leaders.
“I still feel we have a long way to go, we still have to fight for 21 points which is quite a long journey,” said Ndiraya after the Saints massacre.”
It was just a good weekend for Dynamos after log leaders Motor Action failed again to stretch their lead with a disappointing home draw against Chicken Inn, which was the Mighty Bulls’ third draw in succession.
The defending champions have collected a paltry six points from their last five matches and are on 43 points with seven rounds of games left to play.
But while the Mighty Bulls’ season is seemingly imploding right in their face, second-placed FC Platinum seem to have been hit by a tsunami.
The mega-rich club started the season on a bang, winning matches almost at will, but if there is anything that could have gone wrong for the club now, it has.
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The grand entry they made into the league is turning into a disastrous episode.
FC Platinum collected their fourth point in five matches with a hard fought one-all draw against Caps United at Mandava on Saturday, a result that summed up the sorry state of events at the Zvishavane-based team.
But while they may have the mega stars at their disposal, management problems at Platinum are also a reason to worry.
The late Benjamin Moyo was in charge for three games, Philani Mabhena took charge of another three, and Patrick Mandizha had one game before Rahman Gumbo came in on June 1.
Mabhena has been suspended for staying behind in Bulawayo to take care of his wife after the loss to Highlanders last month.
The technical team is bloated — there is Gumbo, his trusted lieutenant Peter Chikuni, Mabhena, Mandizha, goalkeepers’ coach Peter Nkomo, the team manager, the medic and the physio! Nobody anticipated this dramatic slump the leading pair has suffered in recent weeks, and now that both Motor Action and FC Platinum have perhaps lost their air of invincibility, the question is can Dynamos capitalise?
Dynamos’ next fixture is against a consistent Monomotapa team and they still have to play Highlanders, Motor Action and FC Platinum, matches that will definitely have a huge bearing on the Harare giants’ title aspirations. Bogey side Kiglon Bird will also be waiting in the wings while two trips to Hwange and Masvingo United could prove problematic for Pasuwa’s side.
Motor Action’s next assignment is away to Caps United, a match they can’t afford to lose. They will also have to pass the Dynamos and Gunners test if they harbour any hopes of retaining the title. A trip to Shabanie Mine is also a potential banana skin for the Mighty Bulls.
FC Platinum have what on paper appears an easy run-in. However, on current form, the side could struggle against the so-called small teams that are already involved in a relegation dogfight.
Next up are Blue Ribbon, but it is the trip to Lafarge to meet an in-form Gunners side that could be very taxing for the Platinum boys. A local derby against Shabanie can also go either way while a clash against other title hopefuls Dynamos is the last fixture they would want. A match against party spoilers Monomotapa is also on the list.
Top three’s remaining matches: Motor Action: Caps United (away), Blue Ribbon (home), Shabanie (away), Shooting Stars (home), Dynamos (away), Gunners (home), Black Mambas (away). FC Platinum: Blue Ribbon (away), Black Mambas (home), Gunners (away), Shabanie Mine (home), Monomotapa (away), Dynamos (home), Shooting Stars (away) Dynamos: Monomotapa (home), Masvingo United (away), Highlanders (home), Hwange (away), Motor Action (home), FC Platinum (away), Kiglon (home)
