admin
Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
TONDERAI Ndiraya has been encouraging his players to take loads of fluids this week.
And the Dynamos lads have been complying.
They had to be ready for a taxing fixture under the hot conditions of Kariba.
The Glamour Boys will tackle ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie tomorrow.
The match starts at 1pm and it will be the first time DeMbare will play in a lunch-time kick-off match.
Kariba is not only far but the altitude in this resort town makes the conditions even tougher for the visitors.
While Ndiraya has been drilling his charges tactically for the challenge, he has also had to make sure their habits correspond well with the conditions they will face in Kariba, including drinking more water.
Captain Partson Jaure, who makes a comeback into the team after missing out in the Chibuku Super Cup first round win over Whawha last weekend, confirmed the players have been trying hard to take the advice.
“Our coaches have been trying everyday to make sure we are taking a lot of water. We have been doing that for the past week,” said Jaure.
“Everyone has had to adjust. We have had to keep well hydrated in preparation for the match against ZPC Kariba.
“The Kariba temperatures are always high and we should be hydrated.
“Also the match is at 1pm and we need to make sure our bodies are in a good condition to stand those conditions.”
Jaure could not play a part in DeMbare’s last match against Whawha as he was attending a ZIFA Level One Coaching Course at Oriel Boys High.
He revealed yesterday the week-long course opened his eyes to the realities of this profession.
The former Ngezi Platinum Stars defender believes the aspects he learnt will also help him in his playing pattern despite paving the initial way for him into the world of coaching.
But whatever he learnt, which could help his performance in the field of play, should be applied to good effect starting with tomorrow afternoon’s challenge in Kariba.
Dynamos have almost always struggled against the Kariba side.
And Ndiraya has predicted an even tougher match against a team which is desperate to find its way out of the relegation zone.
“It’s going to be a very difficult game against ZPC Kariba, I must say, especially for us given the heat in Kariba this time of the year.
“Also factor in the distance. So that is what we have to manage getting into this match.
“We have had to make sure that the players are hydrated.
“That place is very hot and we know Nyamhunga is not an easy venue as well,” said Ndiraya.
“But we are going there to try and get a result.
“The last time we were there, we almost got the three points but then ZPC Kariba equalised late in the match in 2019.
“This time around we want to make sure that we win the match. We are going there in search of a good result.”
Dynamos are six points behind leaders FC Platinum with 10 games remaining before the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League marathon ends.
They have a realistic chance of claiming the title they last won in 2014.
But their failing to dominate opponents could haunt them at some stage.
Ndiraya is concerned about that and he has been telling his charges to improve on that aspect.
Nigegian striker Alex Orotomal and midfielder Shadreck Nyahwa have been ruled out of this contest through injuries.
“As a team, we want to improve our statistics which have not been very pleasing.
“That is something we have been working on, something we have been talking about with the team. We want to improve those statistics.
“We are ready for that match against ZPC Kariba.
“All the players are looking good and the competition in the team has been encouraging.
“Of course, we will miss Shadreck Nyahwa and Alex Orotomal through injuries but as much as we would like to have a full squad at our disposal, we always have to do with what we have.”
While DeMbare face a tricky hurdle in Kariba, Ngezi Platinum will be hoping to stop FC Platinum at Baobab tomorrow.
It’s no longer business as usual at the Mhondoro side who are struggling for consistency.
But caretaker coach Takesure Chiragwi will hope to work out the same magic he conjured when he commandeered a 1-0 win while in the same capacity in the reverse fixture at Mandava.
Black Rhinos, who became the first team to grab a point and score against FC Platinum in 10 matches, entertain Chicken Inn at Vengere.
Castle Lager Premiership Fixtures
Tomorrow: ZPC Kariba v Dynamos (Kamhunga, 1pm); Black Rhinos v Chicken Inn (Vengere, 3pm); Ngezi Platinum Stars v FC Platinum (Baobab, 3pm); Harare City v Bulawayo Chiefs (National Sports Stadium, 3pm); Bulawayo City v Yadah Stars (Barbourfields, 3pm); Whawha v Triangle (Ascot, 3pm).
Sunday: Manica Diamonds v Cranborne Bullets (Vengere, 3pm); Herentals v Tenax (National Sports Stadium, 3pm); Highlanders v CAPS United (Barbourfields, 3pm).
Online Reporter