NGEZI Platinum Stars captain Patson Jaure faces a fitness test this morning as the technical team tries to give him every chance to feature in their must-win Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie against Dynamos at Baobab this afternoon.
BY HENRY MHARA
Jaure trained with the rest of the team this week, but there were slim hopes that he would make it by yesterday.
However, Ngezi Platinum Stars are holding on to those hopes, as they go into a match that could shape the destiny of the league title.
With log leaders FC Platinum having drawn their match against Harare City yesterday, both Ngezi – placed third, three points behind – and Dynamos will see this as an opportunity to strengthen their cases.
As Dynamos parade probably the most feared striker in Christian Epoupa Ntouba, Ngezi feel they need their best defender in the team for them to stand a better chance.
While they respect DeMbare as a big club, they feel that they are just as good as them.
To full-back Godknows Murwira, Dynamos’ strong support base will be a key factor for this match, but Ngezi are planning on silencing them early.
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“It’s a big game. Dynamos are giants of local football, but for us, we are treating it as a normal game. They are a good side, and so are we. We are not behind them in terms of quality and that’s why we are separated by just a point. They are Dynamos and we are Ngezi, we know what we are capable of doing,” Murwira said.
“The only difference between us and them is probably the supporters. They have the numbers which can sway a match in their favour, but, from my experience playing for them, if we can only silence their supporters, I know they can struggle the whole match.
“I have put across that message to my teammates that we need to deal with their supporters by playing our normal game and try to score early.
“We are playing at home where we have not lost a league match this season. Our confidence is high and while we respect them, they should expect a tough match from us.
“This is an important match for us, which we can’t afford to lose. If we lose this one, then our chances of winning will be very slim.”
Murwira described Ntouba as an ordinary player.
“Ntouba is a good player, but we do not fear him. We are not worried about him and we know that Dynamos will be thinking about certain players in our team.”
Ngezi can go two points better than Dynamos with a win today and also equal their points tally with FC Platinum.
Dynamos will go into this match without attacker Denver Mukamba, who did not attend training this week without any explanation.
They will be looking up to Ntouba and captain Ocean Mushure who have been reliable sources of goals for the team.
DeMbare also welcome back Cleopas Kapupurika, who missed the last match due to suspension.
This will be the biggest game at the Babobab this season and it is likely to be a carnival atmosphere in the small mining town before and after the game.
