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Tadious Manyepo and Rutendo Gomwe
RODWELL Dhlakama is a loved man at Baobab.
Never mind his unceremonious departure from Mhondoro in February last year.
He introduced the core of the youngsters who are leading the table-topping platinum miners during his time at the team.
He transformed somewhat ordinary players like Kudzai Chigwida into the top players they are today.
Despite leaving the team over a year ago, Dhlakama is still emotionally attached to the miners.
He grew up in Mhondoro and faced all the hardships after the death of his maternal grandmother including becoming a destitute.
That’s why he would sometimes shed tears when giving interviews during his stint with Ngezi Platinum.
But today, he returns to the ground where he is regarded as a hero leading the enemy.
He is now at the helm of Greenfuel, another team he has emotional attachment to.
The club is based in Chipinge where the veteran gaffer also hails from.
For him, this fixture, which carries a lot of significance for both sides, is a clash of emotions.
Ngezi Platinum is under the tutelage of Dhlakama’s student Takesure Chiragwi, who was his assistant at the team two years ago.
“The feeling is incredible,” said Dhlakama.
“The match is certainly going to be exciting. We are all expecting fireworks.
“Ngezi Platinum is a big team and they are leading the race. We are also doing well at the moment and we are looking forward to a good game”.
With the likes of in-form defender Tatenda Gora, Collins Dhuwa, Washington Mapuwa and Tino Mutyambizi doing well, Green Fuel will be hoping to take the maximum points back home.
But Platinum Stars defender Gareth Madhake believes the platinum miners stand a good chance to consolidate their lead at the top if they step to the plate this afternoon.
Ngezi Platinum play their second successive home match a week after upstaging fellow title contenders Manica Diamonds.
And they will be hoping to beat a team which is also high in confidence after collecting the full points following a 1-0 home win over Sheasham last week.
“We are prepared as we treat every team in our league with the same respect, we are ready but the road is not going to be easy therefore we ought to work hard like before,” Madhake said.
“Greenfuel is a good team wherever you meet them. They are tough and it’s always tricky to face them. We need to be at our best”.
The former Black Rhinos defender, who has settled well at Ngezi Platinum said hard work is all that matters.
“There is no secret really, I just work hard and try to enjoy my game as much as I can, I also take advice on what my coach and my teammates expect me to do, and above all I pray to God for guidance, “he said.
“Life at Ngezi is fine, I am enjoying being there, football is the same, I had a conversation with the gaffer when I signed so I knew exactly what I was supposed to do and fortunately my play suits his style, it was not really easy to fit in the puzzle.
“We just have to take each game as it comes, we don’t read much in the log as our aim is to win the next match”.
Online Reporter