tawandamusarurwa
Langton Nyakwenda
DYNAMOS and Simba Bhora have a lot of things in common.
Some call the latter “DeMbare Lite”, in apparent reference to the composition of Simba Bhora’s squad and technical team.
A number of players at the side are former DeMbare players.
Their coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, is an ex-Dynamos player and coach, while their chairperson Isaiah Mupfurutsa is a former boss at the Glamour Boys.
However, one glaring common denominator between the two sides has been their inconsistency in the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League marathon.
While Simba Bhora have managed to stitch up a two-game winning streak once this season, Dynamos are yet to register three consecutive league wins this term.
And it has cost both sides, albeit at different ends of the table.
Simba Bhora, who have 20 points from 19 matches, are flirting with relegation, while the Harare side are now trying to regain ground in the championship race after losing valuable points in the first half of the season.
Twelve points separate Dynamos and Simba Bhora when they clash in a PSL match at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
It is a repeat of the Chibuku Super Cup first-round match in which DeMbare emerged 1-0 victors at the same venue a fortnight ago.
That was Genesis Mangombe’s first match in charge of Dynamos following the axing of Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa.
One of the major reasons Maruwa was fired or suspended was the apparent lack of consistency of the team.
The powers that be at DeMbare were worried the gap between the club and rivals Highlanders was widening.
Bosso top the log and were nine points clear of Dynamos at the conclusion of Match Day 19 last weekend.
The Dynamos executive has been clear: They want the championship at all costs.
They have entrusted Mangombe to steer the ship on an interim basis.
The gaffer led DeMbare to a 2-0 win against Sheasham at Bata Stadium last weekend — his first league match in charge.
Today, he squares off with Tonderai Ndiraya, a coach he respects so much and believes to be one of the best when it comes to defensive tactics.
Mangombe loves possession football.
“We are working out strategies so that we can break the Simba Bhora defence,” he told the media last week.
DeMbare might face a weakened Simba Bhora as they reportedly have eight injured players, while two key players will miss the encounter due to family bereavement.
Winger Ishmael Nyanhi lost one of his parents and will not travel to Bulawayo.
Ronald Chitiyo is also mourning a close family relative.
The reverse fixture ended goalless at the National Sports Stadium on April 1.
Dynamos have now registered eight draws.
They also have eight wins and three losses.
On the other hand, Simba Bhora are seeking only their fifth win of the season.
They are already out of the Chibuku Super Cup and are now focusing on surviving relegation.
However, Mangombe still reckons Simba Bhora are a tough nut to crack.
“Coach (Ndiraya) is very good at defending, so we have been trying to work on how we can penetrate them.
“We have been trying to move the ball fast so that we can improve on transition from defence to attack,” he said.
Ndiraya is a well-known defensive tactician, but at Simba Bhora, it looks like his restrictive tactics are not efficient as the club has conceded 16 goals in 19 matches.
Simba Bhora only have six clean sheets in 19 matches.
However, that does not take away the fact that Simba Bhora usually rise to the occasion when playing against Premiership giants.
They stunned defending champions FC Platinum 2-1 at Mandava Stadium three weeks ago, having also beaten Ngezi 1-0 at Baobab on July 15.
Simba Bhora also held Highlanders, Dynamos and CAPS United in the first round of the season.
Both Dynamos and Simba Bhora have exciting players capable of lighting up Barbourfields.
DeMbare’s find of the season Tanaka “Kante” Shandirwa is tipped to shine once again.
Fixtures
Manica Diamonds v Herentals (Gibbo), Yadah v Sheasham (Baobab), Dynamos v Simba Bhora (Barbourfields)
Online Reporter