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Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS coach Tonderai Ndiraya is loving every bit of his charges’ spirit after they turned on the show late into their match against Tenax at Vengere on Sunday to win the game and cut the gap between them and Castle Lager Premiership football leaders FC Platinum to six.
But the DeMbare gaffer is giving the players some freedom to play to avoid pressure on them as the Glamour Boys, who are second on the log on goal difference, are effectively back in the title race.
FC Platinum, who drew 1-1 with Black Rhinos in embarrassingly controversial circumstances, appeared to have it their own way but DeMbare and Chicken Inn, who are tied on 45 points each, appear determined to chase them down.
With 10 games still to be played before the season comes to an end, Ndiraya and his Chicken Inn counterpart, Joey “Mafero” Antipas, can fancy their teams’ chances of winning the league title.
“Look, there is still a huge gap between us and leaders FC Platinum but there are still 10 matches to be played before the season winds down. This is something I have told my players but I don’t want to exert too much pressure on them,” said Ndiraya.
“We have won our third consecutive match and the spirit being exhibited by my players is world class. In the match against Tenax, we thought we had failed but then we kept on believing and it paid off.
“That spirit can carry us far. I am happy the boys are starting to show the real spirit associated with the brand they represent.
“They are giving it their all and I am loving it. We just have to keep on working hard every day and try to pick up points even in matches where the chips are down.
“We have to put in more work, play for ourselves without exerting too much pressure on ourselves then see what happens as we go.”
DeMbare saved the best for the last as late strikes from Emmanuel Paga and Evans Katema secured maximum points for the Glamour Boys against Tenax at Vengere on Sunday. While Dynamos are fighting for the title, their bitter rivals CAPS United are also beginning to pick up, slowly swimming off the danger zone.
The Green Machine beat Bulawayo City 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday to take their points tally to 29 and moved to 12th place on the table.
That was Makepekepe’s second straight win and their sixth consecutive match without defeat.
For a team that was so pathetic between April and June, losing seven games on the bounce, Makepekepe are beginning to show their mettle although their most realistic target would be a top four finish.
“I am impressed with my team. We have now put on a good shift. The match against Bulawayo City wasn’t an easy one. They came on us and they really wanted to win but we held on as an organised unit to win the game,” said coach Lloyd Chitembwe.
“The direction we are taking is good as a team. We have had a very disappointing phase but we are happy that phase has disappeared. We are going to keep on pushing and see where we will be at the end of the season.
“We have beefed-up the squad and we hope everything will fall into place as we go. We are working very hard every day at training, trying to improve in all aspects of the game. The aim is to finish the season on stronger terms.
“Of late, our performance has been very good and we hope to improve by each passing week.” But the chips are down for Highlanders whose hopes were raised with the appointment of Portuguese gaffer Baltemar Brito. However, the mentor has not been as consistent as the Bosso faithful expected with their 1-1 draw against Herentals on Saturday further putting his future at the Bulawayo giants in doubt.
He was booed as he made his way out of the National Sports Stadium on Saturday and the next two matches will be critical for him.
Bosso trail FC Platinum with 16 points but they have a realistic chance of finishing in the top four if they put their act together.
Online Reporter