DYNAMOS have the perfect chance to consolidate their lead at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tomorrow when they clash with relegated Bantu Rovers at Rufaro Stadium.
WELLINGTON TONI SPORTS EDITOR
The match will be screened live on SuperSport.
Going into Week 28, the defending champions lead the standings with 53 points, three away from second-placed ZPC Kariba after both teams posted convincing midweek wins over Harare City and Buffaloes respectively.
Dynamos scored four times in the second half as they subdued Harare City 5-3 while ZPC bounced back from last Saturday’s 2-0 loss to FC Platinum to post a 3-1 victory over the soldiers at Gwanzura and keep track of the defending champions.
This is one of the few times this season that teams have been tested to the limit with three games each in a space of a week, and this is the time for clear separation of boys from real men as the league winds down.
In the second half of the season, Dynamos have shown the hunger, dropping just four points in draws against FC Platinum (0-0 away) and Chapungu (1-1 at home).
After the Chapungu home draw, Dynamos came out with a lesson: Don’t underestimate the so-called small teams because they tend to raise their game when playing against the giants.
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Given such a scenario, Dynamos will be careful of Bantu Rovers tomorrow afternoon, who became the first team to beat Chapungu at home this season with a 3-2 win at Ascot on Wednesday.
Against Harare City, goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi, who had just returned from a month-long injury layoff, was not at his usual best and coach Kalisto Pasuwa is not one to take chances at this stage of the season and the keeper might face the axe after being beaten three times by City.
Tatenda Mukuruva has weathered the storm of playing for the country’s biggest football franchise in the four games that he was in goal and could be entrusted against Bantu.
Washington Pakamisa and Simba Sithole have come up with crucial goals in the second half of the season, Rodreck Mutuma needs a bit of some accuracy in front of goal while Ronald Chitiyo has been at his usual best.
Ocean Mushure has returned to the starting line-up and provides a new attacking flair from the left-wing attack.
For Methembe Ndlovu’s Bantu, they have maintained a fine balance between veterans and youngsters — Zephaniah Ngodzo and Obadiah Tarumbwa providing the much-needed experience to Under-20 star Nqobizitha Masuku and Toto Banda.
ZPC under Saul Chaminuka are at Rufaro against City — a game they need to win at all costs otherwise the league title will be gone. City are struggling after three losses on the turn and when faced with such rejuvenated talents like Limited Chikafa, Pride Tafirenyika and Artwell Nyamiwa, this might be a tall order for Masimba Dinyero’s boys.
City will be missing veteran captain David Kutyauripo, who was red-carded against Dynamos on Wednesday, but still have enough arsenal in Osborne Mukuradare, Francesco Zekumbawira, Martin Vengesayi and Nathan Ziwini.
Third-placed Caps United, who are on 46 points after a midweek draw against FC Platinum, travel to Sakubva for a date with Buffaloes, hoping to pick up maximum points.
It has been a bumpy road for Caps, who have fought player strikes throughout the season to remain in contention for the league title.
Fourth-placed Hwange travel to Triangle tomorrow. The coalminers have 42 points, the same as FC Platinum but on a better goal difference, and will be looking to send Triangle back to Division One. Hwange who are coached by Nation Dube beat Highlanders 3-1 on Wednesday while Triangle picked up a point against Chicken Inn at Hartsfield on the same day.
Triangle now have Kelvin Kaindu — the former Highlanders coach — as their technical advisor and have responded to that by picking up four points from the last two matches, although they remain in 13th place with 30 points.
This is not healthy for the One Wallet Cup winners, and need to ensure they pick up maximum points this weekend and get three more from already-relegated Chiredzi in Week 29 to ensure a third season in the top flight.
Fifth-placed FC Platinum will be keeping a close eye on proceedings this afternoon when they host Chicken Inn at Mandava Stadium.
Under Norman Mapeza, Pure Platinum Play are unbeaten in five matches having won three and drawn twice and are looking good for a top-four finish as they bid to participate in the season-ending Mbada Diamonds Cup.
Boasting the experienced Thabani Kamusoko, Allen Gahadzikwa, Donald Ngoma and Benjamin Marere, Platinum can also rely on the pace of youngsters Wisdom Mutasa and Walter Musona for a win. Chicken Inn, on the other hand, have Clemence Matawu, Bheki Ncube, Lawrence Mhlanga and George Majika on their books.
