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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DEFENDING champions Dynamos face a testing time this afternoon when they host one of their most difficult opponents, Chicken Inn, in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Gwanzura. The Glamour Boys have struggled in games against the Gamecocks since they were promoted into the top-flight league in 2011.
The teams have played each other seven times with four of the matches ending in stalemates.
DeMbare, however, have won two of the clashes while the Gamecocks have managed to beat their more fancied opponents once. Skipper Murape Murape told The Herald that they were concerned by the threat posed by the visitors, who forced a goalless draw in the first meeting at Barbourfields in June.
“It’s always difficult to play such teams because of the losses they suffered in their previous matches.
“It means they are looking for that breakthrough to turn things around when we meet them. So our attitude has to be correct,” said Murape.
Dynamos’ defence, which has been affected by the departure of Partson Jaure and the injury to Ocean Mushure, has been rocked again with the suspension of rightback Blessing Moyo.
The technical department may have to turn to experienced Oscar Machapa who had not seen much action of late.
Hard-working forward Washington Pakamisa, who missed the trip to Rimuka at the weekend, is expected to reclaim his place alongside Rodreck Mutuma.
“We need to have confidence and be prepared to fight as a team. We have been creating so many chances but some of us have been scared to take the responsibilities because we are afraid of making mistakes.
“It’s tense out there, we are lacking that freedom to express ourselves. Probably we are too afraid that what would the fans or the other teammates say if we miss?
“But missing is part of the game and we shouldn’t be scared to go back to those scoring positions again because the more we try the better the chances of scoring. “We have been working hard on that area with our coaches and I believe tomorrow (today) could be our day. We need to be ruthless, we need to be clinical. This applies not only to the strikers but to everyone in the team because we can all score,” said Murape.
DeMbare are currently third on the log standings with 31 points while the Gamecocks are a distant ninth, 11 points adrift.
However, Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas believes his side has suffered enough in the last month and has challenged his players to put behind them the disappointments.
“It’s another tall order. Dynamos will always be Dynamos. They have been champions for the last three years and it’s a fact that they are in the running for another one this year.
“If you look at the form book, Dynamos are the favourites going into this match but we have to give it our best.
“It’s been turbulent times for us in the past month but life doesn’t stop because of the disappointments. We have to pick ourselves up and continue with the race. Otherwise we are ready for the game. We need to turn around things.
“We lost our last three games by the same scoreline despite dominating longer periods against our opponents. It was disappointing we were always caught napping at critical moments.
“Probably, it’s because we have a relatively young defence but the boys have been doing quite well although at the end it’s the experience that counts most,” said Antipas.
Midfielder Thabani Goredema is not available for selection through injury and suspension. This season’s surprise packages ZPC Kariba will be looking to maintain their fairytale run by stretching their unbeaten run to 18 games when they travel to Gishon Ntini’s Chiredzi.
“I am sure this is going to be a difficult game but we are up for it. We are aiming for maximum points but if the worst comes, then we may need to get at least a draw.
“What we have done so far is a great achievement. It’s now in us that we don’t want to lose a match,” said ZPC coach Saul Chaminuka.
Fixtures
Today
Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Gwanzura), Chapungu v Buffaloes (Ascot), Bantu Rovers v FC Platinum (Luveve, 1pm), How Mine v Triangle United (Luveve, 3pm) Chiredzi v ZPC Kariba (Chishamiso) Shabanie Mine v Harare City (Maglas), Black Rhinos v Highlanders (Rimuka)
Tomorrow
Hwange v CAPS United (Colliery)
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