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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS manager Richard Chihoro says the men will be separated from the boys in the final third of the Castle Lager Premier League championship race.
The champions are in third place and four points adrift of pacesetters Chicken Inn.
“It is now the countdown. And a dog-eat-dog affair,” said Chihoro.
“In the last ten games we have to pick points in every game if we want to win the league. We have to show character and this is the time to do so if we are serious but it requires hard work.
“We are concentrating on our games by looking at collecting maximum points in every game and we are not looking at anyone to do us favours or how the other clubs are doing.”
Chihoro believes the combination between Takesure Chinyama and Rodreck Mutuma could be key in their quest for honours.
“Their combination is proving to be good and with each game they are improving and understanding each other very well,” said Chihoro.
“Yesterday (Sunday) it was Takesure who scored and in the previous game it was Roddy scoring two goals.
“They are working for each other and it is also good that another striker Richard (Kawondera) is getting in and being involved as well.”
Pacesetters Chicken Inn lost 0-1 at home to Hwange while Dynamos and Triangle drew their matches.
“It was a weekend whereby top teams dropped points and the bottom placed managed to get some points to help them,” said Triangle coach Kelvin Kaindu.
“We also got a point away from home though we could have done better.
“But a point gained is always better than nothing so we cannot really complain and the point has managed to keep us in our second position.
“We have a team which is able to create so many chances so we have little homework to work on.”
FC Platinum were held to a goalless draw by ZPC Kariba at home while fifth placed How Mine also managed a draw.
Norman Mapeza, the FC Platinum coach, said they were not worried about the draw.
“The most important thing is that the top teams above us couldn’t maximise, we are just taking each game as it comes and not putting ourselves under pressure.
“We are not looking much into what other clubs are doing. Whatever result we get we just accept it, the most important thing for us is to keep picking points.
“Our last match against ZPC Kariba was a difficult match, they came with a five-man defence and are a good side and I don’t think they would be relegated as they looked a quality side to me.
“My players are playing good football and in every game you can see that there is an improvement. Even in the weekend match they did their best despite settling for a draw at home,” said Mapeza.
How Mine coach, Luke Masomere, said the competition was intense.
“The league race is unpredictable and this is exciting, there is stiff competition and no one is guaranteed of a win at any time,” he said.
Masomere insists that they have no league title ambitions and will not give in to pressure or rumours that he is facing the chop at Chikurupati.
“As How Mine we are just playing football and we have no pressure. We have our objectives and if we win the league it would be a bonus.
“We want to finish in a respectable position on the log and it is not a difficult task. We are pushing very hard to finish in a better position.”
Online Reporter