FOLLOWING their controversial 3-2 defeat of arch-rivals Highlanders last Sunday, Dynamos make the trip to Hwange for a Premier Soccer League clash hoping to put behind them their poor record at the Colliery.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
They might have got the psychological boost they needed ahead of this clash, but the champions are aware the Colliery has never been a good hunting ground for them.
In the past two years, it has always been a nightmare when the Harare giants travelled to Hwange.
In 2012, DeMbare, then under the guidance of Kalisto Pasuwa, who went on to win the league title — his second successive championship — overpowered Hwange 2-0 at the Colliery with Denver Mukamba and Tawanda Muparati scoring the two goals that counted for the Glamour Boys to record a memorable victory following the controversy that surrounded the reverse fixture at Rufaro which ended in a 4-2 victory for Dynamos.
Just before that match, Hwange coach Nation Dube and his assistant Mebelo Njekwa had been assaulted by Dynamos bouncers as players made their way into their dressing room, causing a 45-minute delay as Hwange refused to take to the field.
And as if they are cursed, it was the last time Dynamos beat Hwange.
Dube’s men have dominated league meetings at the Colliery since then.
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In 2013, Dynamos suffered a humiliating 4-2 defeat, their heaviest league defeat of that season with Gilbert Zulu netting a brace, while defender Gerald Ndlovu and Nkosana Siwela scored a goal each.
Ocean Mushure scored a double for Dynamos.
Last year again, the coal miners triumphed 1-0 at home through Eric Chipeta who converted a controversial penalty.
The victory helped the coalminers shoot to the top of the Castle Lager Premiership table with 22 points after 11 matches.
Despite the poor record at the Colliery, Pasuwa went on to lift the championship — his fourth on the trot.
Now coached by David Mandigora, they plunge into the Colliery hoping to secure victory for the first time since October 2012.
But Dynamos will be without star midfielder Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo, who is reported to be in South Africa for trials.
The defending champions have often turned to Chitiyo when the going gets tough and on Sunday, he was their saviour, scoring twice before Qadr Amini sealed victory with a late goal against Highlanders at Rufaro.
Without Chitiyo, they have struggled for fluency this season and it remains to be seen if Mandigora will conjure some magic at the Colliery on Sunday.
However, Hwange too will be without one of their key players, Evans Rusike, who left the country at the weekend for trials with South African Premiership side Maritzburg United.
Fixtures:
Saturday: ZPC Kariba v Tsholotsho (Nyamhunga), Flame Lily v Harare City (Lafarge), Chapungu v FC Platinum (Ascot)
Sunday: Caps United v Chicken Inn (NSS), Dongo Sawmill v WhaWha (Vengere), Hwange v Dynamos (Colliery), Highlanders v Triangle (B/F), Buffaloes v How Mine (Sakubva)
