adminCurtworth Masango-Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS are set to miss about eight players as they look to redeem themselves from the Derby disappointment with a string of rescheduled fixtures beginning this Sunday against Chicken Inn at Rufaro on Sunday.
With the Glamour Boys now out of the league race and focusing on a strong finish this season, they would want to win their remaining games. However, they have to negotiate a gruesome schedule which also includes the Chibuku Super Cup.
DeMbare are set to play Chicken Inn on Sunday and then Yadah three days later in a midweek schedule for the outstanding Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final clash. They will travel to Bulawayo to play Arenel Movers the following weekend.
But going into this match against the Gamecocks, DeMbare have a long list of absentees due to international duty, suspensions, and injuries.
Some of the key players who are not available include vice-captain Emmanuel Jalai, Martin Mapisa, Sadney Urikhob, Ghanaian Frederick Ansa Botchway, Freddy Alick, Emmanuel Paga, Eli Ilunga, and Keith Madera.
Lloyd Chigowe yesterday revealed that facing Chicken Inn will be a difficult task.
“It’s going to be a very difficult seven days for us as we are set to play Chicken Inn, Yadah, and Arenel. We are supposed to fulfil these three fixtures within seven days which is quite taxing on the boys,” he said.
“But Chicken are a difficult opponent. We should prepare accordingly and we have some absentees due to national duty, suspensions, and injuries. That means we are decimated in terms of numbers.
“But we registered 30 players and we believe that they are capable enough of taking over the mantle and prove a point. We will go with a positive mind and make sure we get the correct results,” he said.
DeMbare have proved to be a good ball-playing team and have dominated possession on many instances but has failed to convert their dominance into goals.
Chigowe said DeMbare have been working flat out to find a solution to the scoring problem.
“Goals have been the Achilles tendon of this group. When Sadney Uri-Khob had acclimatised we thought we had found the solution to our scoring problems before the injury.
“But we believe we worked out a solution which we can’t divulge details. I believe it will work out as we seek to get the goals. Despite Chicken Inn having an idea of how we play after our first leg meeting we must find a way past them this weekend,” said Chigowe.
The lanky coach believes Valentine Kadonzvo is responding well to his tactics, showing the same quality he exhibited back in 2017. Kadonzvo have been instrumental and a game changer giving DeMbare the edge they need in attack.
“When we fought relegation Valentine was the key player after I gave him a chance ahead of some favourite boys I had coached before and he is responding very well to the responsibilities I have given him.
“He is now a mature player and we expect more from him,” he said.
Rescheduled Fixtures:
Saturday: Ngezi Platinum Stars v Hwange (Baobab)
Sunday: Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro)
Online Reporter