adminDynamos, who are the defending champions, come for their last league match in Bulawayo where they will face an unpredictable Chicken Inn while Highlanders make a trip to the Colliery Stadium where they will take on Hwange.
DeMbare have made their intentions of retaining the trophy they won last season clear. They are at the top of the log with 52 points from 22 outings and enjoy a two-point lead over Bosso who have played the same number of games.
The two matches mean a lot to both teams who are vying for the championship title.
Former Warriors striker Adam “Adamski” Ndlovu, Chicken Inn’s head coach said they were ready for Dynamos and had a clean bill of health.
“The guys are ready for Dynamos and such a match against a big club motivates players. Pressure is not on us but I think it is on Dynamos because they are chasing the championship so we will play our normal game. We respect Dynamos because they are a big club, have a good squad and were in the Caf Champions League but Wednesday’s game will be tricky for everyone as we are targeting to finish in a respectable position on the log,” Ndlovu said.
The last time the two teams met in Harare, Dynamos won 2-1.
Barbourfields Stadium has in the past been a favourite hunting ground for Dynamos. In their last visit to Emagumeni, they drew 1-1against Highlanders. DeMbare also laboured to a 1-0 win against
Quelaton. Ndlovu is aware of the havoc that Denver Mukamba, Milton Makopa and Desmond Maringwa may cause in midfield.
“Soccer is a team sport and I don’t believe in individual play. They are where they are because of brilliant players they have but I think we also have players capable of matching Dynamos’. We cannot just concentrate on Denver, Makopa and Maringwa because as much as they are talented, they play with others. We just have to come with our own strategy to counter them,” said Ndlovu.
A boost for Chicken Inn is the availability of anchorman Sydney Linyama and Herbert Dick who missed the weekend’s one-all draw against Black Mambas due to suspensions.
Linyama will battle for a place in midfield with man-marker Thabani Goredema, national Under-20 winger Kudakwashe Mahachi, Ntokozo Tshuma, Tendai Ndoro, Danny Phiri and Canaan Nkomo.
Dick will have to work hard to displace Guide Goddard who stood firm at central defence in his absence where he partnered Felix Chindungwe with Brian Mbiriri and Moses Jackson completing the defence line. Some of Dynamos’ players that Chicken Inn should keep a close eye on include David Kutyauripo, Roderick Mutuma, Farai Mupasiri, Gift Bello and Timire Mamvura.
Their goalkeeper George Chigova also has an imposing figure and since coming in after the departure of Washington Arubi, has been in impressive form.
Meanwhile, it is mixed feelings for Zambian coaches as Kelvin Kaindu’s Highlanders are flying high while Tennant Chilumba’s Hwange have gone for over a month without a win.
Hwange last won in Week 16 when they beat Caps United 3-2 and going into tomorrow’s game against Highlanders, Chilumba is hard pressed for a win. From a possible 18 points, Chipangano have managed to pick up only two, having played draws against Chicken Inn and Gunners. They have lost to Monomotapa, Shabanie Mine, Motor Action and Harare City.
The Colliery Stadium has not been the best hunting ground for Bosso but Highlanders’ faithfuls must take solace in that Kaindu is of the view that they play better when they are away.
“Our prospect is to focus on each game as it comes and this also applies to the Hwange game. What I have realised is that we do not have a home or away so far this season because we always play well even away and that makes away games our home too.
“We will continue working hard and as for the championship I cannot comment on that as we are only building a team for next season,” said Kaindu.
On Sunday, Highlanders’ players had an inspiring performance against Shabanie Mine, with all the players giving their best shot as they narrowly edged the miners 1-0.
The Bulawayo giants could have won by a bigger margin had they not been wasteful in front of goal.
Midfielder Masimba Mambare returned from injury in style scoring Highlanders’ winning goal. Battle for places must be intense at Bosso camp as Kaindu is said to have read the riot act for players whose performances has been below par in the last matches.
Peter “Rio” Moyo started on the bench while Graham Ncube was not even in the team and so was Arnold Ndiweni.
At the Colliery Stadium tomorrow, Highlanders will put their faith on impressive Eric Mudzingwa who has been consistent at central defence where he is partnering Innocent Mapuranga. Like always, Mambare will be key in cracking the coalminers who also have a formidable side.
Chipangano are likely to be without national team midfielder Rodwell Chinyengetere who picked an injury during their 3-0 weekend loss to Monomotapa.
Gilbert Zulu, David Boriwondo, Timothy Sibanda and Eric Katebe are expected to carry the day for the coalminers.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Luveve), Shabanie Mine v Black Mambas (Maglas), Hwange v Highlanders (Colliery), Caps United v Blue Rangers (National Sports Stadium), Gunners v FC Platinum (Lafarge), Quelaton v Monomotapa (Luveve), Motor Action v Buffaloes (Motor Action Sports Club).
Thursday: Harare City v Hardbody (Rufaro).
Online Reporter