BY HENRY MHARA DYNAMOS coach Tonderai Ndiraya will reset his side into attack mode ahead of their second half onslaught for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title as he aims at earning the fans’ trust.
Ndiraya was criticised for what some described as negative tactics in some of the matches in the first half of the season.
They were, however, a different attacking beasts in their last match, where they overwhelmed Caps United to win 3-0.
Ndiraya has promised a similar brand of attacking football going forward, starting with Yadah, whom they face at the National Sports Stadium today.
“We had a very good game against Caps United in all aspects and that is what we want,” Ndiraya told NewsDay Weekender Sport.
“That is the approach that we want to take going forward. But, of course, each game has got its own plan and approach, so hopefully the game against Yadah will be the same. We want to attack, we want to get goals and we want to get maximum points.
“What is important at this juncture is to make sure that we have very good statistics in terms of goals and points, so we are going to be fighting on those fronts. If we are going to take the game to Yadah, I would be a very happy coach.”
Ndiraya is, however, expecting a tough match against Yadah.
- 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
The two teams’ reverse fixture was marred in controversy, with Dynamos picking a contested victory.
“Derbies are always difficult,” reckons Ndiraya. “We have always found it difficult to get points against teams from Harare. So it’s not just Yadah, but Cranborne have also been a difficult opponent for us. We also had a close fight against Harare City, Black Rhinos and Herentals.
“The only comfortable victory that we got was against Caps United, so it’s never easy to play in a derby. It’s going to be a difficult match, but it’s a match that we are really going to fight and try to get maximum points considering the position that we are on the log. We have to push and fight for points as hard as we should.”
Dynamos are going into the match without at least five players.
Ndiraya revealed that striker Tinashe Makanda is unavailable for the match as he has been invited for trials by a first division team in South Africa.
The former Highlanders man was expected to travel yesterday.
Shadreck Nyahwa and Emmanuel Paga, who had also gone for trials in Tanzania, were only expected back in the country yesterday.
Long-term injury absentee Tinotenda Muringai started training last week after recovering from a knee injury he picked back in April, but lacks match fitness and will not be involved today.
Young Stephen Chatikobo is down after picking an injury at training last week.
Yadah coach Genesis Mangombe warned Dynamos to expect a tough match today.
“We are playing a very good team and, of course, they are on the upper top of the league standing. We are not going to underrate them, but we are going to give them a good challenge and a good game. We are not safe (from relegation), so we are going to make sure that we upset them,” Mangombe told NewsDay Weekender Sport.
He, however, hopes that match officials will not influence the outcome.
“I think we are going to deliver. For us, it is going to be an interesting game. I know and also pray that the match officials will not decide the result. They should let the better team win.”
Matchday 18 fixtures
Today: Cranborne Bullets v Chicken Inn (Sakubva), Bulawayo City v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Barbourfields), Yadah v Dynamos (National Sports Stadium)
Tomorrow: Tenax v Fc Platinum (Sakubva), Caps United v Zpc Kariba (National Sports Stadium), Highlanders v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields), WhaWha v Manica Diamonds (Ascot), Triangle United v Bulawayo Chiefs (Gibbo)
- Follow Henry on Twitter @henrymhara
