daniel chigunwe
Sports Reporter
THE six points that Dynamos lost to Bulawayo Chiefs last season ended up having a huge dent on their quest to end their prolonged Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title drought now stretching 10 years.
DeMbare lost back to back matches to the Ninjas and they come face-to-face at Rufaro tomorrow for another league sparring.
DeMbare coach Genesis Mangombe has not forgotten the 2-3 setback inflicted on his team by Bulawayo Chiefs at the National Sports Stadium last year before proceeding to lose the reverse fixture 1-2 in Bulawayo, which helped condemn them to another season without the championship as they eventually lost the race to Ngezi Platinum by nine points.
Mangombe told journalists that the Harare giants have been working hard to avoid the same disappointments they suffered last season after the two teams started off the 2024 season in contrasting terms.
While Dynamos needed four games to win their first match, Bulawayo Chiefs had won two, drawn one and lost once. They have seven points compared to DeMbare’s five.
“They are posting good results and it means they are a very good side,” said Mangombe.
“So, we need to be well-prepared for this team and make sure they don’t find us wanting especially on the fast breaks, the counter-attacks; and also their transition is perfect.
“So, we are working on those things and I am sure these boys are understanding what we want,” said Mangombe.
Dynamos beat newboys Bikita Minerals 1-0 courtesy of Kelvin Moyo’s penalty conversion at Sakubva on Easter Monday. Chiefs on the other hand beat Hwange 2-0 and Yadah 2-1 in their previous two encounters.
The Dynamos defence has been uncharacteristically porous this season after letting in four games in as many matches. Their strikeforce has also been problematic, also scoring as many goals in as many matches.
“It might be a slow start but we were creating some chances in every game that we played but we were failing to convert them. Maybe we were supposed to be working on our finishing because you never know who will get the chance.
“We need to work on our strikers also to have the knowledge and confidence that these games are won by scoring goals,” said Mangombe.
Fixtures:
Today: Arenel Movers v Bikita Minerals (Luveve), FC Platinum v CAPS Utd (Mandava), ZPC Kariba v Herentals (Nyamhunga), Greenfuel v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Greenfuel Arena), Yadah v Simba Bhora (Heart Stadium).
Tomorrow: Highlanders v Chegutu Pirates (Barbourfields), Manica Diamonds v Chicken Inn (Sakubva), Hwange v TelOne (Colliery), Dynamos v Bulawayo Chiefs (Rufaro)
Online Reporter