BY HENRY MHARA DYNAMOS coach Tonderai Ndiraya has demanded a reaction from his side following their confidence-sapping defeat to Highlanders in the Independence Cup final on Monday.
The Harare giants, who were beaten 1-0 by their traditional rivals at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, host Manica Diamonds in a league match at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
“We are having to talk to the players to shift their focus, to forget about the defeat to Highlanders and take encouragement from the point that we took at Ngezi Platinum Stars that took us to the top of the log. We are motivated by being on top of the log and that brings with it a lot of pressure,” Ndiraya told a Press briefing yesterday.
Dynamos lead the title race with 23 points, but a defeat against the third-placed Manica Diamonds could see them tumble to fourth position.
“Our position demands a lot of hard work for us to stay at the top. It’s not easy, so we want to manage that pressure and keep progressing, keep getting results so that we stay atop. We have got to use our experience and the clout of the team. It’s going to be difficult, but we will have to give it a good fight and make sure that we stay at the top,” Ndiraya said.
DeMbare will be without young Tinotenda Muringai, who picked an injury during training last week that saw him missing the clash against Highlanders.
Utility player Godknows Murwira ended up filling in for him last week, but it is the fit again Sylvester Appiah who could be recalled to start on the left of the back three.
“Tino has been very consistent and has been an integral member of the back three that we are playing lately, so losing him is a big blow because you want a left centre in that back three and he is the natural centre left that we have. But we will have to find a replacement. He (Appiah) played a blinder of a game before he got injured. He is back and we expect him to play a big role in this very important match,” Ndiraya said.
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The defeat against Highlanders was the second game in a row that Dynamos strikers failed to score a goal.
But it is the defence that is worrying Ndiraya.
“I am sad that we conceded a goal against Highlanders, something that we don’t normally do, so we expect the team to get back to being competitive again and get a clean sheet against Manica Diamonds,” he said.
“It’s not going to be easy because they (Manica Diamonds) are a high scoring team, so it’s going to be a really big test for our defenders. I know if we can pick a clean sheet, the chances of winning the game are very high. I expect a very good defensive shift, which should be complemented by a mobile midfield and a sharp strike force.”
- Follow Henry on Twitter @henrymhara
