admin
Ishemunyoro Chingwere
A CRUNCHING tackle and Dynamos are in possession, followed by rapturous applause from the Glamour Boys’ adoring fans. Another challenge which sends the opponent sprawling and sees regaining possession – legally or illegally – before an exaggerated pass is played draws another round of applause from those in blue.
This best describes the Stephen “Stavo” Alimenda that the DeMbare faithful have grown accustomed to ever since the midfielder joined them from relegated Hardbody at the beginning of their 2014 championship winning season.
By far the Champions’ most consistent player last season, with his efforts duly rewarded with a place amongst the league’s Castle Lager Soccer Star of the year finalists, Alimenda is having a topsy turvy season.
The regular applause from the DeMbare fans has since been replaced by murmurs of disapproval and Alimenda has hand to raise his hand up in apology on several occasions this year.
A three match suspension coupled with a $2 500 fine for insulting Tsholotsho FC medic Sibusisiwe Mutunzi during a league match at Rufaro, a costly own goal against the new boys at Barbourfields in Week 20 and a largely lifeless performance against FC Platinum last week are some of the former Lancashire Steel and Mwana Africa midfielder’s low moments.
As questions are being asked about his role at the champions Alimenda intends to use the rest of the season to make a statement and predicts that FC Platinum will be the first victims this afternoon.
“I don’t think it’s fair to say I have struggled,” Alimenda maintained.
“I had the misfortune of being dogged by injuries during the early stages of the season and my fitness was not up to where I wanted it to be.
“Then I was just unlucky to make a costly blunder that denied the team a deserved victory against Tsholotsho but generally I was not bad on the day.
“Against FC Platinum things were really tough, we lost to a better team and for once I think it’s fair to admit that they played better than we did. We failed to cope with their pace and movement and generally I think it was not our day.”
The 27-year-old , who was handed his Premiership debut as an 18-year-old on July 23, 2006 at Lancashire by the late Willard “Mashinkila” Khumalo against Highlanders, reckons today’s Chibuku Super Cup clash with FC Platinum will be another tense battle.
“FC Platinum have been playing good football but they will pay dearly for the hype they are getting,” said Alimenda.
“People have made them to believe that the kind of football they are playing is from another planet but then that is not true and we are ready to prove it.
“I know some people have already written us off in the quest for major silverware after that defeat to Platinum but our season is still promising.
“We will fight to the very end in true Dynamos style just like we have in the past and we urge all our fans to come in numbers and push the team to glory,” added the man who shares the distinct honour of having played for the country’s big three – Dynamos, Caps United and Highlanders – with veteran striker Stewart Murisa.
Murisa is now player coach at Northern Region Division One side Lake Harvest. Dynamos interim coach Tonderai Ndiraya attributed last week’s defeat to “poor defending” and “allowing soft goals”. It’s an analysis that put s Alimenda and company on the spotlight this afternoon.
It remains to be seen how the Dynamos hard man will cope against the youthful Tatenda Dzumbunu who gave him a torrid day in office at Mandava last weekend.
Online Reporter