Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
THINGS are down at the country’s biggest football team Dynamos.
They are calamitously hanging down the relegation zone with a mere 14 points to their name, 17 games into the season.
They have changed the men in the cockpit, replacing Lloyd “Ma Blanyo” Chigowe with journeyman Saul Chaminuka.
But the result has been the same – disappointment.
And as they begin the decisive second phase of the marathon with a tricky away date at ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga this afternoon, they know they have to put together a compact show.
They are without two of their most influential figures in captain Emmanuel Jalai and striker Frank Agymang.
Both are carrying knocks from the Glamour Boys’ ill-fated encounter against FC Platinum at Mandava.
That match was abandoned with 13 minutes still on the clock after Dynamos players walked off the pitch in protest against a controversially-awarded penalty when the teams were tied 1-1.
Agymang suffered a groin strain, while Jalai had a knock on the knee.
The duo failed a late fitness test yesterday and remained behind in the capital DeMbare made the trip to the tourist resort town.
Ahead of the showdown, Dynamos coach Chaminuka said: “We know where we stand, we know we are in a precipice. We are not firing, but we are nearly there when it comes to the philosophy which we want to follow.
“I have been in charge of Dynamos for the past six games and we have managed to score in all, but one of those games.
“That means we are almost there. We know a lot is expected of us and rightly so.
“Dynamos is a big team, the biggest team in the country for that matter and we have to show it on the field of play.
“ZPC Kariba are doing very well, especially at home. But we know this is the second half of the season. It’s like we are starting all over again. We need to show up and start to get going.”
Chaminuka knows the absence of his influential pair can cause them awkward moments but believes the replacements will do an equally good job.
“Certainly, going to war without your group commander in the form of Jalai is a cause for concern.
“We know how important he is as our captain and also Frank Agymang has been a very good striker for us in all our games,” he said.
“But going out there without the duo is a blow. We, however, trust those who we will throw into the deep end. All we need is to win this match against ZPC Kariba.”
ZPC Kariba captain Boid Mutukure, has no room for mercy and wants his side to pile more misery on Dynamos.
“We have a home record that we need to protect. We will win this game by all means because we want to return into the top four.”
Elsewhere at Mandava, champions and log leaders Simba Bhora travel to Zvishavane to face rejuvenated FC Platinum knowing that any slip-up could see them being dislodged from the top by MWOS.
The Punters face another stern test of their pedigree when they visit Highlanders at Barbourfields, where they will find the Bosso camp reeling from a coach change following the sacking of Zambian gaffer Kelvin Kaindu.
Fixtures:
Today: TelOne v Herentals (Ascot), ZPC Kariba v Dynamos (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Simba Bhora (Mandava), Yadah v Manica Diamonds (The Heart), Bikita Minerals v Chicken Inn (Gibbo), Ngezi Platinum v Kwekwe United (Baobab)
Tomorrow: Highlanders v MWOS (Barbourfields), CAPS United v GreenFuel (Rufaro), Triangle v Scottland (Gibbo).
