adminDynamos and their tricky showdown against Gunners at Lafarge.
The neutrals are spoilt for choice as an exciting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League menu in the capital tomorrow.
But the die-hard blue army knows the real deal is at Lafarge while the green brigades make a beeline for the National Sports Stadium.
Dynamos play Gunners at Lafarge while rivals CAPS United host Highlanders at the National Sports Stadium in two big matches.
At least for these games, the boo-boys have been separated by this counter-attraction as Blue Ribbon and Hwange create the buffer zone at Rufaro.
There has been a steady increase in the number of fans attending Dyna-mos’ games since Callisto Pasuwa took over, two games ago, with wins over Shooting Stars and Masvingo and the numbers are expected to swell for this tie.
What makes it exciting is that Gunners have been unbeaten in the last seven matches since Moses Chunga took over. Pasuwa briefly worked under Chunga as an assistant coach at CAPS United this year but the two coaches are now meeting from opposing fronts.
Pasuwa is keeping his cards close to his chest but has admitted that coaching the Glamour Boys is like going into a pressure cooker.
Dynamos assistant coach Tichaona Diya believes that they have done all they can to prepare for the match.
“So far we have done our best to prepare for this game. What is left is for the players to deliver on Sunday. We are ready to play for a win,” said Diya.
Diya, who is the goalkeeper’s trainer at the club, said the side would be handicapped by the absence of anchorman Milton Makopa and attacking midfielder Tawanda Muparati.
The two players are sitting on three yellow cards but Diya hopes the players who will be selected to fill the places will justify their inclusion.
“We have come up with the 18 but there is Milton and Muparati who have been starting in the previous game who are now out. While we would have loved to have them, this is also a chance to try other players,” said Diya.
Diya said Dynamos just want three points from this match before they can focus on the next assignment or talk about the championship.
DeMbare are now five points behind leaders Motor Action and will certainly pray that Chikwata either hold or beat the Mighty Bulls.
The Glamour Boys fans will also be following events at Luveve where Chicken Inn play FC Platinum.
It’s also not a secret that fans at Lafarge will be following events at National Sports Stadium and vice-versa
Archie Gutu could come back into the starting XI, because of the suspension of Muparati, but it is Denver Mukamba who held the fans spellbound at Rufaro last Sunday.
During the game against Masvingo, Mukamba had a stellar performance and he did not only score but delighted the fans with his fancy footwork.
Veteran striker Cuthbert Malajila and the improving Roderick Mutuma, who was outstanding last Sunday, could lead a two-pronged attack.
Malajila knows the burden that is weighing on his shoulders to get the crucial goals for Dynamos since his return to the local Premiership while the ginger-haired Mutuma was an oasis of confidence in the 2-0 win over Masvingo.
Gunners enter the game as underdogs with sharp teeth and could derail Dynamos’ championship aspirations.
Chando Kupisa, winners of the Premiership in 2009, have been the best performing side in the second half of the season and now await their biggest test since Chunga rejoined them.
They could have passed the test when they beat CAPS United but Dynamos are a different kettle from the Green Machine.
The hosts are missing skipper Pardon Chinungwa, who is suspended, but they have an ace in the pack in former Young Warriors’ skipper Ali Sadiki.
Sadiki is one of the seasoned players at Gunners and his cultured left foot had been troublesome for the opposition.
There was a time early this season when Sadiki’s career was in limbo but the player has been recovered well and is promising Dynamos a good run for their money.
“We are taking the game like any other game we have played in the league. This means we are geared up for a win. I have played against Dynamos many times before and I know what to expect but for some of the youngsters this will be their first time,” said Sadiki.
Sadiki said the game is a test the Gunners players need and they have to pass it with flying colours.
“Being their first time, the players want to prove a point and they are motivated. They know that they can make names for themselves in such games,” he said.
The former Harare United midfielder said he is yet to hit top form again but believes it’s only a matter of time.
“Here and there I am trying to regain my fitness after the lay-off due to injury. I am hoping to get my form back and I am lucky that I am working with coaches who are helpful,” said Sadiki.
Chunga could field Prosper Chigu-mba to guard goals with Hardlife Zvirekwi, Cliff Sekete and Munyaradzi Kunyarimwe all likely to feature.
The side also has tricky forward Ishmael Lawe but it has been Leonard Fiyado who has been hitting the headlines with his goal-scoring form.
Then there is Lloyd Masakusa, a talented player who thrives on taking defenders on the wings, while Moses Muchenje as weighed in with crucial goals.
This promises to be a cracker and the Gunners management reiterated yesterday that gates will close at 2pm.
Fixtures
Today: Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve), Shooting Stars v Masvingo (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: CAPS United v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium), Blue Ribbon v Hwange (Rufaro), Zimbabwe Saints v Motor Action (White City), Shabanie Mine v Monomotapa (Maglas), Gunners v Dynamos (Lafarge), Black Mambas v Kiglon (Postponed)
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