DYNAMOS have lost inspirational captain Stephen Alimenda for their crucial Castle Lager Premier Soccer League derby clash against Harare City at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
BY HENRY MHARA
The hard-tackling midfielder is one of the five players suspended for accumulating three yellow cards ahead of this weekend’s round of matches. The other four are Tafadzwa Kutinyu of Chicken Inn, Marvelous Mukumba of Triangle, Buffaloes’ Jacob Muzokomba and Simbarashe Gorogodyo of Tsholotsho.
It is title contenders Dynamos and Chicken Inn who will feel the full effects of the suspensions, although Muzokomba’s absence is also a big blow to Buffaloes’ survival quest.
Champions, Dynamos have a tough match against rivals Harare City.
It is in such assignments that they would require all their arsenal.
Alimenda, who was recently promoted to the team captaincy in the absence of Augustine Mbara, has played a key role in Dynamos’ quest for a fifth consecutive title.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Four points shy of table toppers Chicken Inn, Dynamos lie third on the log, with five matches remaining.
Ominously for Dynamos, they have not managed a win in any match Alimenda has missed.
The anchorman missed four league matches and Dynamos drew all of them.
Alimenda missed the trip to ZPC Kariba through suspension, and DeMbare drew 1-1.
He was then banned in back-to-back matches against Hwange and Highlanders, after being found guilty of assaulting Tsholotsho medic, Sibusisiwe Mthunzi, which all ended in draws.
Alimenda’s suspension means Walter Mukanga is likely to return to the starting line-up on Sunday. Milton Makopa is another option for coach Tonderai Ndiraya, while utility player Godknows Murwira has played in that role before.
Dynamos have set themselves a target of winning all their remaining matches, to keep their hopes of retaining the title.
Chicken Inn leads the way in the title race with 49 points, three ahead of FC Platinum and four ahead of Dynamos.
They face a struggling How Mine side at Luveve Stadium this afternoon, but their ambition for a first league title have received a major blow with the absence of Kutinyu.
The Young Warriors player has been a very integral part of Joey Antipas’ side this season.
They will be looking to bounce back from the 1-0 defeat to Dynamos last weekend, a result that blow the title race wide open. Another defeat would make their lives even more complicated, as they face FC Platinum next.
Antipas said the absence of Kutinyu was a setback, but was quick to point out that he was replaceable.
“He has been a key player for us and we will miss him against How Mine,” he said. “But it opens up the door for another player.”
Antipas said the match against How Mine presents an opportunity for his team to bounce back after losing to Dynamos in the last match.
“How Mine is a tough team, they have not been getting the results of late, but when we face them, it’s a derby and we expect a tough match.”
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Week 25 fixtures
Saturday Chicken Inn v How Mine (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v CAPS United (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v WhaWha (Mandava), Buffaloes v Tsholotsho (Sakubva).
Sunday Triangle v Flame Lily (Gibbo), Dynamos v Harare City (Rufaro), Highlanders v Dongo (Barbourfields), Hwange v Chapungu (Colliery)
