Vusumuzi Dube
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
FIVE games, three points from three draws and two defeats.
This is not the way that Lizwe Sweswe hoped to start as Bulawayo Chiefs coach, but the top-flight championship winning gaffer is confident that their breakthrough is imminent.
Bulawayo Chiefs, third from the bottom of the table in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League take on former champions Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium in Harare this afternoon.
Amakhosi Amahle have been exhibiting good football, but failure to convert scoring chances has been their biggest undoing.
Last weekend, Bulawayo Chiefs had to twice come from behind to force a 2-2 draw against Chicken Inn, getting their goals from Ayanda Ncube and Mthokozisi Msebe.
Facing the country’s giants, Chiefs, who have never won a game against DeMbare in Harare will be hoping to break that jinx and hand DeMbare their first league defeat of the season.
Dynamos, who were inactive last weekend in the league as they played in the Independence Cup which they lost 5-3 on penalties to Highlanders are third on the table with eight points from four games.
That they are playing Dynamos has brought in self-belief to Chiefs players, with Sweswe demanding that they be sharp in their quest for a first victory of the season as well as first win against DeMbare in Harare.
In their previous meetings, Chiefs, who face Dynamos for the third time in Harare since their promotion to the topflight drew 0-0 in 2018, played out a 1-1 stalemate in 2019 and lost 2-0 last season.
Even in Bulawayo, Chiefs have struggled as they went down 1-0 in 2018, won 2-0 in 2019 and lost 2-0 last season. Sweswe, who will be without suspended goalkeeper Issah Ali for the Dynamos said his charges are ready for the encounter.
“Dynamos is a big team in Zimbabwe. You know every time they play they’ll be backed by a big crowd.
All in all, I respect that, but as a coach I spend a lot of time with my players and I know what they are capable of.
I expect them to be sharp in this game because look, the boys have been doing very well in the past games that they’ve played. All we need is sharpness. I like playing big teams because it’s a test of my character and the players.
I like challenges, and one way or the other I will learn something and players will also learn something.
“We’re all competing in the Premier League. With due respect to Dynamos my message is Amakhosi Amahle are coming to the National Sports Stadium, they won’t be pushovers.
We’re coming to fight, we need those three points as we look for a breakthrough for the confidence for the boys in camp,” added Sweswe.
Players expected to carry the day for Sweswe include skipper Malvin Mkolo, versatile defender Brian Rusinga who is proving to be a good signing for Chiefs, experienced midfielder Danny Phiri, Msebe and forward Obriel Chirinda.
At Dynamos, Bulawayo Chiefs will face three of their former players who have been regulars the Moyo twins, Elvis and Kevin as well as attacking midfielder Arthur Musiyiwa. DeMbare also has utility player Shadreck Nyahwa and left back Brandon Mpofu who had stints with Bulawayo Chiefs.
— Follow on Twitter @ZililoR
Online Reporter