Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SCOTTLAND coach Norman Mapeza is under no illusions that Dynamos are a vastly changed side since their meeting last month in the season-opening Castle Challenge Cup.
The Mabvuku side at that time hit Dynamos for five without response to claim the derby bragging rights as well as lift the Challenge Cup for the first time.
But ahead of their Castle Lager Premiership mid-week clash at Rufaro tomorrow, Mapeza told journalists that nothing will be taken for granted. Dynamos have since dusted themselves up since the 5-0 humiliation.
They have even performed better than Scottland in the opening seven matches of the PSL marathon and Mapeza anticipates a totally different ball game tomorrow.
“No, it’s not going to be a similar game,” he said.
“Look, I’m sure they’ve done their homework. If you look at the way they started this season, they’ve started very well, very organised.
“If you look at each department, from the defence, going to midfield, going to the final third, they look very organised.
“They look very organised; they haven’t been conceding so many goals. So, it’s very, very much a changed side, and I know the challenges we’re going to face on Wednesday.”
Going into the match, Dynamos sit fourth on the log standings with 15 points while Scottland are just one place down with 13 points in the bag.
Both teams are still unbeaten, with DeMbare, who survived relegation on the last day of the campaign last season, surprising both their fans and the most vocal critics alike with their sudden about-turn.
Mapeza has been in the domestic league long enough to understand these dynamics around the big teams and has been preparing his players physically and mentally for the challenge.
“We are playing a very good team in Dynamos. If you look at the seven matches they’ve played so far, they haven’t lost a match.
“So, it really shows the quality in their side. And from the previous matches, of course, you can tell that they really mean business this season. But we are ready.
“Such big games, sometimes you just need the mind, it’s all about psychology. Nothing much, nothing less,” said Mapeza.
Skirmishes between Scottland and Dynamos have gained impetus over the last year when the Mabvuku side stormed the PSL and won the title in their maiden season.
Scottland have established themselves quickly and have managed to woo a sizeable chunk of supporters in the capital. They are disliked by both Dynamos and CAPS United, the biggest teams in the capital.
Their matches against Dynamos last year were among the most attended in the domestic league. Scottland won the first leg 1-0 before DeMbare hit back with a 3-2 victory in a five-goal thriller reverse leg that was attended by a near-capacity crowd.
But this time the clash falls on a mid-week.
Asked if he had his way, Mapeza would have preferred the game to be played on a weekend, given his team had also travelled from Maphisa where they edged giants Highlanders 1-0 in the Independence Day final.
“I would have preferred maybe the game to be played on a Sunday. Maybe we could have had some time to rest and recuperate,” he said.
“But look, these are the fixtures. Some teams played yesterday (Sunday), so we have to play that game on Wednesday. And like I said, it’s much to do with the psychological part of the game, and we’re ready. We know the challenges we’re going to face on Wednesday,” said Mapeza. “I think last year it was played over the weekend. So, I don’t know how many or how many people are going to attend the game because it’s on a Wednesday.
‘But I’m sure we have a number of supporters coming to watch the game. It’s a big game, it’s like a derby. “But Dynamos will always remain Dynamos. They’ve got a huge fan base and look, they’ve always been pushed by that. But like I said, it’s all about the mind when you’re playing such big games,” said Mapeza.
The four-time title winning coach knows Scottland need to up their game. Before the Independence Cup victory in Maphisa, they had played identical goalless draws against Highlanders and Bulawayo Chiefs.
“I’m happy we managed to win the trophy, and I think it’s a massive morale booster for us as a team,” Mapeza said.
“If you can recall, we took some of the senior players with us to Maphisa. We left some other guys behind because some of them were not feeling well. They had a bout of flu.
“But look, like I said, it was a massive morale booster for us ahead of our clash against Dynamos.”
Fixture:
Tomorrow: Scottland v Dynamos (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields), ZPC Kariba v Bulawayo Chiefs (Nyamhunga)
Peter Tanyanyiwa