adminTadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
FRED Alick is justifying why Dynamos coach Lloyd “Mablanyo” Chigowe went out of his way to have him return from South Africa where he had relocated.
The 24-year-old player, who also plays basketball, had moved to South Africa until Chigowe convinced him to come back and join the Glamour Boys.
The veteran talent groomer worked with Alick since he was 14 and he knows the boy like the back of his hand.
And Alick has not disappointed since making his debut back in May when scoring a ferocious equaliser in Dynamos’ 2-2 draw against Ngezi Platinum at Rufaro.
He has not looked back since then and it is his versatility that charms Chigowe the most.
Alick can play all positions across the field, and he was phenomenal at centre-back where he partnered with Frank Makarati when Dynamos beat Yadah on penalties in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals to advance to the last four at Rufaro on Wednesday.
He was so good he contained former Warriors striker Evans Rusike and later on Jerry Chipangura as Yadah threatened to run riot, especially after getting the lead early in the second half. “I coached Freddy Alick from the Under 14 to the Under 18 team at Dynamos and at one point he went to Black Tigers. He is a versatile player who can play in all positions and I hope he continues to show his class,” said Chigowe. “It’s what this country needs, the kind of players, with the frame and technique which I can say is correct.
“Alick is a very good player, and I hope he continues to improve his overall game. Once he reaches his potential, I can tell you that he will be a beast.”
After securing progress in the Chibuku Super Cup, Dynamos shifted their focus to the league where they face Arenel Movers at Barbourfields on Sunday.
The Glamour Boys are out of the title picture, but they can finish strongly if they pick positive results in their last six matches in the league. They will face an Arenel Movers side who are hanging dangerously down the relegation cliff. But Chigowe is a concerned man especially with his strikers failing to come to the party this season.
“I can say maybe, Valentine Kadonzvo is taking responsibility and showing his true colours. And I hope that same quality will take us through. Our strikers need also to up their game. What forces coaches to change the tactics is probably what these other guys are bringing to the table in terms of the team’s play,” added Chigowe.
“So, in the end, you opt to develop a technically sound player. The more confidence they gain probably the more right things will turn for us as we go forward. It’s unfortunate we lost Sadney Urikhob, we expected young Elton Chikona and Emmanuel Paga to take over but for now we will continue to work with what is available. But before Dynamos can play Arenel Movers, Simba Bhora will move closer to winning the league title or even winning it tomorrow if a set of factors come together well.
They have an acid test before them though with Herentals standing ahead of them at Rufaro tomorrow. Second-placed FC Platinum will be hoping that the Students pick the maximum points against Simba Bhora and win their duel with Yadah at Mandava to rekindle their hopes of winning the championship.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Bikita Minerals v Greenfuel (Sakubva); ZPC Kariba v Hwange (Nyamhunga); FC Platinum v Yadah (Mandava); Herentals v Simba Bhora (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Telone (Luveve); Ngezi Platinum v Chegutu Pirates (Baobab)
Sunday: Manica Diamonds v Highlanders (Sakubva); Arenel Movers v Dynamos (Barbourfields); CAPS United v Bulawayo Chiefs (Rufaro)
Online Reporter