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NewsDay

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Fitness levels worry Mandigora

Sport
DYNAMOS coach David Mandigora is worried by the fitness levels of his players ahead of the start of the 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) season.

DYNAMOS coach David Mandigora is worried by the fitness levels of his players ahead of the start of the 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) season. BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

The Dynamos coach said after watching his side in friendly matches against Chapungu United and newly-promoted outfit Whawha, he noted that his charges still needed to improve their fitness levels if they were to start the season on a high.

“I am happy with the way things are shaping up, but I am still worried by the fitness level of the players. There is still a lot to be done in terms of improving their fitness levels. We have to make use of the time left to work on that but I think we are almost there,” Mandigora said.

The Dynamos coach, however, refused to comment on Rodreck Mutuma who joined arch rivals Caps United on Monday after talks with the consecutive four-time champions collapsed.

Mutuma had been hoping to extend his contract with the league champions, but that desire, however, failed to bear fruit because of contractual disagreements between his representatives and Dynamos.

The two parties had been negotiating since Mutuma’s contract expired on December 31.

However, with his side cruising to a 3-0 victory over Premiership newboys Whawha at Ascot Stadium at the weekend and also drawing 0-0 against Chapungu, it gave the Dynamos coach hope.

First half goals by Kasimero Chimbadzwa, Carlos Rusere and Patrick Khumbula helped seal victory for the Glamour Boys, leaving Whawha coach Luke Petros Jukulile and technical director Lloyd Mutasa needing to work hard as they prepare their charges for life in the top-flight league.

Chimbadzwa, who finished as the top goalscorer in the World Navi Division One championship last season while playing for ZRP FC, is expected to feature prominently in an attack that also includes Kelvin Bulaji, Dominic Chungwa, Simba Sithole, Clive Kawinga and Khumbula.

With these forwards, it remains to be seen how Mandigora will do the maths of coming up with a solid striking combination that can deliver the title.

Last season, the Dynamos strikeforce struggled for goals and the fact that Washington Pakamisa, who spent the whole season at the champions, ended up with a paltry six goals — the same as Mutuma who joined in the middle of the season from South African Premiership side Bloemfontein Celtic — provides a graphic illustration of their shoddy performance.

Dynamos will be seeking to defend the championship they won for a record fourth successive season.