daniel chigunwe
Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER passing the big test in the first edition of the Harare Derby with flying colours, Dynamos coach Herbert Maruwa says the Glamour Boys are preparing to deal with a potential banana skin when they host unpredictable Triangle in their next Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Harare giants eased pressure from a section of their supporters last week when they produced one of their best performances this season in a 2-0 victory over bitter rivals CAPS United.
Their coach Herbert Maruwa yesterday told journalists that he was longing for more polished performances to shore up their campaign after recovering from a recent dip in form, which had seen them going winless for three league games.
“The team is ready for the game against Triangle,” Maruwa said yesterday.
“We managed to win against CAPS United but now we have to shift our attention to the coming game against Triangle.
“Triangle are playing well. It’s not an easy game. We would need to be at our best to get a positive result. There are no pushovers.
“I have been telling the boys to make sure we maintain our good run for people to take us seriously. So we aim to win our next game.
“The victory in the Derby helped us in terms of bringing back confidence and obtaining a winning formula after going for the last three games without a win.”
Dynamos players shone in their last game against CAPS United. Players like Junior Makunike, Emmanuel Jalai, Tanaka Shandirwa, Tendai Matindife and Donald Mudadi, who scored and provided an assist for Jayden Barake in the win over Makepekepe are all available for selection this week, barring last minute injuries.
Fringe goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa is the only casualty in the DeMbare camp.
DeMbare have also been boosted by the clearance of utility Wilmore Chimbetu, who is coming on loan from Herentals.
Chimbetu, who thrives more as a roving right back, is set to give competition to vice-captain Jalai and Maruwa is excited by the prospects.
“Chimbetu’s papers are now in order. So, in terms of selection we are okay, save for injured goalkeeper Tafiremutsa who has begun light training.
“Chimbetu is going to give us another dimension, different from Jalai but for him to play he needs to prove he is a good player at training,” said Maruwa.
Dynamos had not won a match in three games, prior to last week’s big win and are currently fourth in the race with 11 points from six games.
Fellow giants Highlanders lead the race with 14 points. Bosso are set to become the first side in the 2023 Castle Lager Premiership season to visit Gweru side Sheasham at their newly refurbished home ground, Bata Stadium.
The ground, which last hosted topflight games several years ago, was homologated by the ZIFA and PSL grounds inspection committee after undergoing renovations to meet the required standards.
Highlanders technical manager Baltemar Brito told Bosso’s website that their main aim was to collect maximum points and maintain their position on the log.
“It’s a new game, but our approach to this game is always the same, we want to collect three points,” said Brito.
But he felt new boys Sheasham are a good team as the new boys have only lost one game since the league started. They have drawn five and won one.
“Sheasham have only lost one game so far. Considering that they have not been playing in their home ground, they are arguably one of the best teams this season,” said Brito.
The Portuguese coach also confirmed that two key players will be missing this week’s fixture due to injuries.
“Archford Faira and Ray Lunga will be out of the game due to injuries,” he said.
Sheasham’s Bata Stadium and Colliery Stadium of Hwange were given the green light by the ZIFA First Instance Body to host top-flight games last week.
Bosso are looking forward to becoming the first team to play at the refurbished Bata Stadium. The 8000-seater facility had been out of use for close to three decades.
Before it was made available, Sheasham played their home games at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.
Online Reporter