DYNAMOS coach Kalisto Pasuwa will be seeking to right the wrongs which have seen his forwards failing to get goals in four consecutive matches as they host FC Platinum in a must-win Castle Lager Premiership football match at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Zimbabwean champions have been struggling for goals since the start of the season, having managed just six goals in seven league matches they have played in the campaign so far.
Anesu Gondo has scored two of those goals.
More importantly, Pasuwa’s men have failed to find the target in the last four matches they have played, including the 1-0 defeat to bitter rivals Caps United in the ZNA Charity Shield semi-final on Sunday — a development which has not gone well with the club’s hard-to-please supporters.
The Dynamos gaffer, also an assistant coach of the Warriors, returned from an unsuccessful trip on national duty with Zimbabwe falling 1-0 to Tanzania in the first round first leg tie of the 2014 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Yesterday, he admitted the lack of goals continues to haunt them even at national team level, but expressed optimism they would get it right today. Dynamos were beaten to the Independence Trophy by FC Platinum on penalties, but Pasuwa remains confident.
“This will be a 90 minutes’ match. We are ready for FC Platinum. We have not been scoring, but it is our approach that will make us win this match,” Pasuwa said.
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The Dynamos coach is yet to win against FC Platinum coach Lloyd Mutasa since the latter took the reins at the Zvishavane-based side. FC Platinum had not beaten Dynamos before Mutasa, who is also Pasuwa’s friend, engineered a 2-0 win at Mandava with goals coming from Elvis Moyo and Charles Sibanda last season.
However, Pasuwa refused to be drawn into those statistics.
“All the 16 coaches in the PSL [Premier Soccer League] are my friends and Mutasa is just one of those friends. We will see the outcome after 90 minutes,” Pasuwa, who will be banking on the trio of goalkeeper George Chigova, defender Partson Jaure and midfielder Stephen Alimenda, said.
Mutasa said playing against Dynamos was always hard, but was also exuding confidence.
“It’s always difficult to play against Dynamos, but we are coming there with the aim of collecting maximum points. We have been preparing for the match and are looking forward to it.
“The only setback is that we will miss the services of our captain Daniel Vheremu who got injured at Sakubva when we played Buffaloes last week.
“We will also be without Ali Sadiki who is still on trials with TP Mazembe,” Mutasa, who welcomes back forward Marshall Mudehwe who was on national duty, said.
Mudehwe — a product of DC Academy — got his first call-up to the national team by coach Ian Gorowa ahead of the trip to Tanzania and Mutasa believes that his inclusion in the national team will inspire others.
“Marshall has a bright future and we are really happy he has been given the nod to play for the Warriors.
“We are particularly happy that this has happened in his first season,” Mutasa said.
Allen Gahadzikwa, who struck two goals against Highlanders in the ZNA Charity Shield semi-final at Barbourfields on Sunday, looks set to keep his position upfront ahead of Nelson Mazivisa.
Platinum also have Qadr Amini, who has scored three goals this season, Mitchelle Katsvairo, Donald Ngoma and Obrey Chirwa to bank on while the experience of veteran striker Njabulo Ncube will come in handy.
Fixtures Today: How Mine v Caps United, (Luveve), Triangle United v Buffaloes (Gibbo), Chapungu v Hwange (Ascot, SS9), Dynamos v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium), Black Rhinos v ZPC Kariba (Rimuka) Tomorrow: Shabanie Mine v Chiredzi (Maglas, SS9), Highlanders v Harare City (Barbourfields)
