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NewsDay

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Revival put to test

Sport
The Harare City and Dynamos clash this afternoon pits two sides that are desperate to convince everyone and more so themselves that they are finally on the right track in their campaigns which started rather ominously.

The Harare City and Dynamos clash this afternoon pits two sides that are desperate to convince everyone and more so themselves that they are finally on the right track in their campaigns which started rather ominously.

BY KEVIN MAPASURE

A lot was expected of both clubs going into the 2016 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season, particularly for Harare City, who seemed to have conducted the best transfer business, but doubts and frustrations soon emerged as the team dropped crucial points too regularly.

Things have brightened up since Dynamos great, Moses Chunga took over the reins from Taurai Mangwiro, who was given the boot after the club decided he was not the right man to lead them to the league championship.

Suddenly, the sun is shining brightly in the Sunshine City camp and they might soon be revising their ambitions for a top-three finish to clinching the silverware.

And why not? A deficit of eight points from the top-placed team, Highlanders, cannot be considered too big to cut down.

And if they harbour such ambition their match today is one to win and make a bold statement, if not also instil fear.

Dynamos have been awful in parts this season, particularly when playing at Rufaro Stadium, where they picked up their first win against struggling Ngezi Platinum, but a win against them still represents a massive achievement and a confidence booster.

Harare City know too well that if they are to continue their upward trajectory, they need to maintain a string of wins.

For the first time, Chunga can pick his starting 11 from a full complement with the return of some of his players from national duty.

Bambo is happy that it will be a difficult task picking his team from such a talented pool of players.

“Since I came, this has been the most difficult week for me because of the selection headache,” he told reporters at their weekly pre-match conference on Thursday.

“There is a lot of competition, but we will settle for those we think will do the job for Harare City.”

At his disposal is an array of talent that includes attackers Ronald Chitiyo, Francesco Zekumbawire, Raphael Manuvire and William Manondo. A strike force that contains such talent should instil fear to any defence.

They have the third best goals tally in the top-flight and they will be looking to breach Dynamos’ defence.

DeMbare, however, will be looking to build on the confidence they generated from their back-to-back wins over Chapungu and Ngezi Platinum.

They know, however, that those two wins, as important as they were, did not come against some of the best opposition in the league so far.

Both Chapungu and Ngezi are lying in the danger zone with just four wins between them.

Dynamos have not won against a team that is in the top half of the table so far this season and a win against Harare City will represent an achievement and a big step in their revival.

Coach Lloyd Mutasa is winning the confidence of his bosses, but he will need to do more if he is to totally win their hearts and a win against City could just do the trick.

He will call upon the experience in his side with Masimba Mambare having struck good form; he is likely to get another start.

For all his problems with indiscipline, it’s always difficult to ignore Rodreck Mutuma; he always looks their likeliest source of goals for Dynamos. He will certainly be on Mutasa’s mind.

Brett Amidu has shone bright in the Dynamos midfield with his creativity and shooting and Harare City will be advised to keep watch on the Aces Youth Academy graduate.