WHEN Premier Soccer League giants Dynamos announced that they were adopting Barbourfields (BF) Stadium as their home ground until an up-to-standard facility opens up in Harare, it sent tongues wagging, with some of their fans questioning the move considering the second city’s distance from the capital, and more so that it is home to their biggest rivals, Highlanders.
Just over a month on after the switch, it has proved to be a masterstroke of a decision which has helped the team draw more fans as well as collect more points at their new home. DeMbare chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze yesterday said they were averaging around 6 000 fans in their home matches at BF.
“We have been having good numbers at Barbourfields Stadium and the fans are always pushing which has helped us even on the number of points we have been collecting while playing there,” he said.
“Barbourfields has proved a good home away from home for us because not only do we get good numbers, but the supporters are vibrant and they push the boys.
“When we are playing at Barbourfields, we get people travelling from Gweru, Bulawayo, some from Beitbridge and Harare. The good thing is that we always have our Blue Army, then we always have supporters of rival teams like Highlanders, Chicken Inn and FC Platinum coming at our matches.”
He added: “There is always a good atmosphere where our players have thrived. Even the City of Bulawayo, they are very professional and us going to play our home matches there has been a good business partnership for them.”
This year, Dynamos have played at BF five times, with a record of three wins and two draws.
They defeated Hwange (1-0), Chicken Inn (2-0) and Yadah 5-1, while they shared spoils with title rivals Highlanders and FC Platinum.
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Coach Herbert Maruwa is happy to make that trip every week, where they have found comforts, especially spurred on by a vibrant support base.
“Our support base in Bulawayo is good, very encouraging. Our supporters there are very passionate about the team and it helps us especially the youngsters to express themselves,” he said ahead of their trip, where they face Hwange at the same venue tomorrow.
Ahead of tomorrow’s match Maruwa will be forced to shuffle his pack once again, with five key players missing due to a combination of suspension and injuries.
Captain Frank Makarati is suspended and so is midfielder Junior Makunike, while Denver Mukamba, Wilmore Chimbetu and Eli Ilunga are all out ill.
Maruwa believes keeping his players fresh could be the key to the club’s success this season.
Hwange coach Nation Dube is not looking at playing Dynamos as a big occasion and wants his side to go about their business as usual.
They have picked up five points from their last five matches.
Dube says they are not out to settle scores with Dynamos, but to just improve their position on the log standings.
“It is just like any other game in the league. We lost to Chicken Inn last week in a game that we played well and things just turned out to be something else and Dynamos scored five goals, but on Sunday, it is just two teams that want to improve their standings,” he said.
“We have no score to settle against Dynamos. We just want to improve our past results. We cannot continue to be saying we are playing well when the results are bad.”
Match Day 18 fixtures
Today: Green Fuel v Yadah (Gibbo), FC Platinum v Simba Bhora (Mandava), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Bulawayo Chiefs (Baobab), Black Rhinos v Cranborne Bullets (Bata), Chicken Inn v Sheasham (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Highlanders (Nyamhunga)
Tomorrow: Manica Diamonds v Caps United (Gibbo), Herentals v Triangle (Mandava), Dynamos v Hwange (BF)
