TRIPPLE B coach Friday Phiri says winless defending champions Dynamos should not expect to get three points on a silver platter when the two sides clash in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane on Sunday.
REPORT BY SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA
The match had been slated for Dulibadzimu Stadium, but was changed to Mandava after the Premier Soccer League issued a directive saying Dulibadzimu does not have the capacity to host big teams like Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United due to security issues.
Focus is most likely to be on the champions as they are yet to win a league match this season after five draws — including a highly debatable one against Highlanders last Sunday — while Tripple has two wins.
Although expressing disgruntlement over the change of venue, Phiri said they are ready to take on Dynamos.
“It is unfortunate that we are now playing an away game which is home-away-from-home. This is going to affect us because last week we went to Triangle and on Sunday we travel to Zvishavane.
“Our next match will be away to Highlanders and then we will face FC Platinum. It is four away games in a row. Dynamos are yet to lose in Mandava; it is their hunting ground so that gives them the advantage.”
“However, since it is beyond our control we just have to soldier on. The bottom line is we have to fight very hard for the three points. Dynamos is not going to get those points on a silver platter. They are under pressure because they are title holders and have gone for five games without a win. Their first win must not be against us,” he said.
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The Caps United legend said they want to keep the momentum after winning their last two games and also said all the players are up for selection while Eddie Chafungamoyo is undergoing an assessment.
Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro said they are just going through a rough phase.
“We are playing well, but we have just been unlucky. Luck has deserted us. On Sunday things might just go well for us because we need the three points. We are just going through a bad spell and it happens every season. We are going through a rough patch,” he said.
The champions were lucky to escape with a point after they were almost beaten by Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday where the match eventually ended 1-1 after 98 minutes of action.
Dynamos will be without Augustine Mbara and Devon Chafa who are part of the Warriors squad set to play Zambia in an international friendly in Zambia on Sunday.
Misfiring strikers Francisco Zekumbawira and Patrick Khumbula face the chop with under-fire coach Kalisto Pasuwa likely to opt for Tawanda Muparati and Boban Ziruntusa.
The defending champions have five points, one less than their opponents and know that while Mandava is their favourite hunting ground, FC Platinum and Shabanie Mine supporters might come in full force to support the border town team.
