DeMbare seek to go back atop

Langton Nyakwenda

DYNAMOS coach Herbert Maruwa is not worried about what is happening on the green half of the capital as he braces for what could be a taxing week for the Harare giants.

DeMbare have to dodge bullets from Cranborne in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League assignment tomorrow, before facing Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday in the latest of their famed Battle of Zimbabwe clashes.

Three days later, DeMbare and Bosso clash again in Mt Darwin for the Uhuru Cup.

Maruwa has some bit of pressure going into tomorrow’s encounter against Cranborne Bullets because city rivals CAPS United, who have been off to a flier, overcame Black Rhinos 2-0 on Good Friday to shoot to the top of the log standings.

Makepekepe now have 10 points from four matches, while DeMbare have seven from two wins against Hwange and Sheasham, as well as a goalless draw against Simba Bhora last weekend.

Just like CAPS United and Highlanders, Dynamos have started the season on a sound note.

Under Maruwa and his assistant Genesis Mangombe, the Harare giants have departed from their traditional smash-and-grab approach to a passing game that is driven from midfield by Tanaka Shandirwa.

Returning star Denver Mukamba has also done well as an impact substitute.

He engineered Dynamos’ solitary goal against Hwange on Match Day One at Barbourfields.

He also did well last weekend against Simba Bhora when he was introduced as a second-half substitute.

But Maruwa is worried about his team’s ability in front of the goal.

When DeMbare thumped Sheasham 4-0 at the National Sports Stadium two weeks ago, two of those strikes were own goals.

Yet, on the other end of the field, Dynamos have done well.

They have kept three clean sheets in as many matches.

The last time DeMbare achieved such a feat was in 2015.

In that season, they beat Buffaloes 3-0, Chapungu 1-0 and Dongo Sawmills by a similar margin, before drawing 1-1 against CAPS United.

Should Dynamos keep a clean sheet against Cranborne Bullets tomorrow, they will achieve what they have failed to accomplish in over 20 years — four straight clean sheets in the opening four league games.

Maruwa and his lieutenants were working on their defence as usual during their training session at Alex Sports Club yesterday.

However, central defender and skipper Frank Makarati will have to pass a late fitness test, as he suffered a head injury when he clashed with teammate Donald Mudadi during their game against Simba Bhora.

Mudadi will also have to be further assessed before being cleared to play in the Easter Monday assignment.

Striker Tinashe Makanda, scorer of the solitary goal when DeMbare edged Hwange in their opening fixture, also remains doubtful.

Despite concerns over the fitness of some key players, Maruwa remains confident the rest of the squad can do the job against Bullets.

“It’s going to be a hectic week — playing on a Monday, then five days later against Highlanders, then three days later in the Independence Cup.

“But we have a good squad, which I think can do the job for us,” he said.

“We need to go out there and make sure we collect maximum points against Cranborne (Bullets).”

Nesbert Saruchera’s soldiers might appear to be there for the taking, but they are well known for their graft and grit.

Although they have lost two of their opening four matches, they did manage a crucial point in a 1-1 draw against 2015 league champions Chicken Inn at Baobab Stadium last weekend.

Unfortunately, they face a Dynamos side that has been mean at the back.

“It’s our wish not to concede; it’s good for the team. We need to make sure we don’t concede when things are tight during play,” said Maruwa.

“So, we keep on working as a team. The team is doing well in terms of defending, now we need to improve on getting more goals.

“Last weekend, we played a goalless draw, so this time we have to score.”

Maruwa is not reading much into CAPS United’s triumph over his former side Black Rhinos.

“We just look at our own games; we don’t look at how other teams are playing.

“We will see at the end of the season how many points they have and how many we have.”

DeMbare and Makepekepe meet in the Harare derby showdown in Week Seven.

So far, the Big Three teams have had a decent start to the 2023 season.

Maruwa believes this could be key in bringing back fans to stadiums.

“It’s good for our football when the traditional giants are doing well. It makes sense because supporters will come back to the stadiums,” he said.

Saruchera’s team has a clean bill of health and has declared his charges ready to face DeMbare.