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Chigova’s Big Three

Sport
First it was Highlanders and a brilliant penalty save marked George Chigova’s grand entry in the blue and white colours of Dynamos as they held Bosso to a 1-1 draw in a Premier Soccer League match two weeks ago. Then last week, it was yet another brilliant performance against Caps United in the Harare derby […]

First it was Highlanders and a brilliant penalty save marked George Chigova’s grand entry in the blue and white colours of Dynamos as they held Bosso to a 1-1 draw in a Premier Soccer League match two weeks ago.

Then last week, it was yet another brilliant performance against Caps United in the Harare derby and away Dynamos went with three points.

So will tomorrow make Chigova’s third appearance in a row against a giant and, perhaps, another set of maximum points when they face FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane?

Chigova reckons the match is the biggest for him and Dynamos this season and could shape their campaign as they launch a tenacious bid to defend their league title.

The former Gunners goalkeeper, who had lived in the shadows of veteran Washington Arubi, was finally given a starting place in the drawn game against Highlanders at Barbourfields two weeks ago.

He proved his heroics in goals, denying dead ball specialist Mthulisi Maphosa with a classy penalty save.

Although the match ended in a 1-1 stalemate, it appeared to have boosted his confidence as he followed that up with another good show coming out with a clean sheet in the Harare derby against bitter rivals Caps.

And Chigova believes the match against Platinum is one of the biggest hurdles they have to clear to catch up with log leaders Highlanders.

Highlanders have 33 points while Dynamos sit fourth on 27. A win will see the lead cut to three points, provided Highlanders do not beat Quelaton at Barbourfields on Sunday.

“It’s another big match on our path,” Chingova said. “It’s important in that if we win, we will close in on Highlanders. Our focus is now on the league title. We are out of Africa so we are all determined to defend the league title.

“We know that if we win our next two matches, we will be at par with Highlanders and then we will work it from there. There is high morale in the team and everyone is looking forward to the game.”

The champions still have happy memories of their last visit to Mandava Stadium last season after edging their rivals 1-0 with defender Daniel Vheremu flicking the ball into his own nets to hand the Harare giants a crucial victory.

That sensational win eventually helped to decide the league title as Dynamos went on to lift the crown on goal difference after the two teams had been tied on points at the end of the season. And tomorrow, Kalisto Pasuwa and his men will be out to bag the three points at stake which will put them within a shouting distance.

While they are preparing for a win, Platinum are hoping to write their own piece of history by registering their first league win against Dynamos. Last season, Dynamos won 2-0 at Rufaro when Platinum were under the late Benjamin Moyo, won 1-0 at Mandava when Rahman Gumbo was in charge and now have Tendai Chikuni as the interim head coach for their third clash.

The rivalry between the two clubs has been pushed up by supporters who believe Platinum refused to release leading scorer Nelson Mazivisa, Allen Gahadzikwa and Donald Ngoma during the just-closed transfer window.

According to Platinum, there were never such plans and there was never a chance Dynamos would get the trio. Mazivisa, in particular, has remained on loan to Shabanie Mine.