Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
DYNAMOS skipper Shadreck Nyahwa is set to end a chaotic week on the sidelines as Harare giants host bogey side Herentals in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Rufaro on Sunday with both teams pushing for top four ambitions.
Nyahwa will miss the match through suspension after accumulating three yellow cards and his absence comes amid a difficult week for the defensive midfielder, whose performances have also come under increasing scrutiny from sections of the DeMbare faithful.
Teammate Collin Mujuru is also suspended, while Herentals will be without their influential “Mr Versatile’ player Ralph Kawondera for similar reasons.
For some Dynamos supporters, Nyahwa’s absence may come as a welcome opportunity for change after a series of costly mistakes that have seen the skipper fall out of favour in the terraces. The skipper is also reportedly facing disciplinary action from the club, although the nature of the allegations remains unclear.
Dynamos technical director Aristica Cioaba yesterday declined to comment on issues relating to the club captain, saying the matter falls outside his jurisdiction.
“I will only address technical issues here. This is one for the executive. I don’t know what is the problem, from the technical side.
“For me, our captain has three yellow cards. He’s not in the plan for this game, and I need to find another player who can come in his position and help the team on Sunday because we need a good result.
“So, this is not an issue for the technical coach to comment on,” said Ciaoba.
The Romanian revealed that morale in the Dynamos camp had been severely affected by last week’s Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of newcomers FC Hunters.
Dynamos, winners of the previous three editions of the competition, surrendered a lead to a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw before losing in a penalty shoot-out.
The defeat ended their hopes of defending the trophy, and it came just weeks after their elimination from the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, leaving the Harare giants to face a trophy-less campaign for the first time in four years. Cioaba said attention has now shifted towards securing the best possible league finish while laying the foundations for a stronger campaign next year.
He urged his players to put behind them the Chibuku disappointment.
“We have been working in training to boost the morale of the players every day after that cup defeat. The morale had gone down, the players were unhappy, but we need to forget this. It’s part of football.
“You train to win games, but sometimes you also lose. But we need to continue our plan. We have six games remaining in the league, and the players need to forget everything and concentrate on the league.
Fixtures:
Saturday: FC Platinum v ZPC Kariba (Mandava), Simba Bhora v Chicken Inn (Wadzanayi), MWOS v CAPS Utd (Ngoni), Highlanders v Hardrock (Barbourfields), TelOne v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Ascot), FC Hunters v Manica Diamonds (Rufaro), Scottland v AGAMA (NSS, 6pm)
Sunday: Bulawayo Chiefs v Triangle (Luveve), Dynamos v Herentals (Rufaro).
