TWO coaches with their futures in doubt go head-to-head when Dynamos host FC Platinum at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow in what is arguably the biggest clash of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League midweek programme.
HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
The Bulawayo derby between Bantu Rovers and Chicken Inn set for Luveve Stadium this afternoon kicks-off Match Day Eight of matches. Five matches will be played tomorrow and two, including the one between Highlanders and Harare City, have been lined up for Thursday to complete the midweek fixture programme.
But it is the match at the National Sports Stadium which is likely to draw a lot of attention, whose result could have far-reaching effects for the two men leading the two teams.
Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa has in recent weeks come under increasing pressure from the fans who are not pleased with the direction the team has taken of late.
The Harare giants have drawn one and lost three of their last four matches, including the 1-0 defeat to Caps United in the ZNA Charity Shield match on Sunday, the first time they lost to their main rivals in five years.
Crucially, Dynamos have not scored a goal in those four matches, translating to six hours of play without hitting the nets.
Such statistics are worrying for a big club like Dynamos, with Pasuwa’s popularity significantly waning among the club’s fans.
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Last month, the club came out publicly in support of the beleaguered coach, but the situation had not deteriorated to the current status, and Pasuwa is well aware that a defeat in this match will not be tolerated, and could see the trigger being pulled.
Dynamos will be hoping that striker Anesu Gondo, the only player of the seven in camp who has found the target this term, has fully recovered.
Gondo trained with the rest of the squad last week although he couldn’t make it for the Sunday match against Caps United.
There is also speculation surrounding the future of FC Platinum coach Lloyd Mutasa who has done so well in dividing the club supporters’ opinions by posting indifferent results.
The Zvishavane-based team has been inconsistent — brilliant this week with a comfortable win, but terrible the next game.
They are still to string two wins in a row this season and after a surprise 1-0 league defeat at Buffaloes last week that saw some supporters calling for Mutasa’s head, the team recovered with an impressive 3-2 win over Highlanders in the ZNA Charity shield semi-final match on Sunday, and suddenly, and its followers were happy.
The match will be the second meeting between the two teams in a space of two months following their clash in the Independence Trophy final at the same venue on April 18 which FC Platinum won after a penalty shoot-out.
Another interesting clash to look forward to tomorrow is the one between log leaders Hwange and Chapungu set for Ascot Stadium.
Hwange are looking to strengthen their grip at the log of the table, but at the expense of a team who are unbeaten at home this season.
Fifth-placed How Mine, the in-form team at the moment with four straight wins, host a buoyant Caps United at Luveve Stadium.
This season’s surprise package ZPC Kariba are back on the road again. This time they are in Kadoma for a date with Black Rhinos.
The Kariba-based side are one of the two teams yet to taste a defeat this season and are third on the log table with 13 points, one behind the leaders.
Thursday will see two matches being played with Highlanders expected to get maximum against struggling Harare City who recorded their first win in seven matches last week.
Boardroom squabbles at the City Fathers threatens to scuttle these signs of recovery with reports suggesting that the club’s executive has been dissolved.
Moses Chunga-coached Chiredzi United are in Zvishavane for a match against Shabanie Mine, looking for their second win of the season. The troubled side have picked up four points in their last two matches and that recovery will certainly be put to test at Maglas Stadium.
