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Dynamos woes: Linyama goes AWOL, Mukandi, Chafa out

Sport
DYNAMOS defender Sidney Linyama has been missing training sessions since last week — a development which has angered coach Kalisto Pasuwa

DYNAMOS defender Sidney Linyama has been missing training sessions since last week — a development which has angered coach Kalisto Pasuwa ahead of the tricky trip to army Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Buffaloes on Sunday.

TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Dynamos will also be still without goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi, who is still nursing injury, midfielder Devon Chafa, Anesu Gondo, who is suspended, and long-term casualty Masimba Mambare.

But Pasuwa believes Tatenda Mukuruva, who kept goal for the champions in the One Wallet Cup penalty shootout loss to Triangle last Sunday, has imposed himself in the absence of Mukandi and hailed him as one of the best goalkeepers they have.

“The boy is very impressive. If you consider the World Cup review, the work of the goalkeeper is not just to save shots, but he also helps in the play and he is doing that. He comes out to cut crosses. Every keeper we have brought to Dynamos has been doing that and I was really proud of him. He will keep goal for us while Mukandi recovers,” said Pasuwa.

The Dynamos coach, however, expressed his disappointment at Linyama’s conduct whom he had been banking on to help stabilise his defence.

“I don’t know what is happening to Linyama. He is not reporting for training. When I went to Egypt, he was supposed to come for training, but he has not been coming since last week on Thursday. He had recovered from injury, but it was just a matter of fitness levels. We have tried to engage him, but he switches off his phone and it’s a problem to communicate with him,” said Pasuwa, adding that he had been told the defender usually plays in social games.

But in Linyama’s absence, Pasuwa still has a solid back four in Themba Ndlovu, a former Buffaloes defender, Augustine Mbara, Blessing Moyo and Thomas Magorimbo to bank on.

The Dynamos coach, whose charges lead the log standings with only six matches remaining before the end of the campaign, said they have found it difficult against Buffaloes.

“We have found them to be not a good hunting ground for us. We lost 1-0 here and then 3-2. We now need to rectify our mistakes to get the points we want. Our loss to Triangle was a wake-up call. We need to work hard.

“We have been addressing the issue of scoring. What is lacking is the technique, but we are getting there in scoring positions. We are going to field a player who has been scoring even if he is not playing well because what we need are goals,” said Pasuwa.

Dynamos wasted a lot of chances against Triangle and were eventually beaten to the One Wallet Cup.

Buffaloes are now under the guidance of former Zimbabwe international and Dynamos legend Moses Chunga, but Pasuwa says although he has great respect for Chunga, he would put aside that for 90 minutes.

“Bambo is one of our seniors. We respect him both as a former player and coach, but we will put that aside and play for 90 minutes and then we will talk,” said Pasuwa.

Dynamos lead the standings with 46 points, two ahead of second-placed ZPC Kariba who face Triangle tomorrow and the defending champions will be keeping a close ear on proceedings at Gwanzura.

ZPC Kariba have nothing to lose, they have over-achieved and survived relegation and now are throwing everything into the championship fight and a spot in the season-ending Mbada Diamonds Cup that will be contested by the top four only.

Having beaten Highlanders 3-1 at Hartsfield, they might think Triangle are an easier job to undertake, but Biggie Zuze’s men are riding on a wave of confidence after beating Dynamos on Sunday.

If ZPC Kariba win tomorrow, they will top the standings, landing the pressure right on Dynamos’ doorstep to win in Mutare.

The top two will also be anxiously looking at the outcome of the blockbuster match between Caps United and Highlanders at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday. These two — what an interesting weekend — will also be keen to hear Hwange’s result against How Mine at the Colliery.