Mutasa aims for an upset

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
LLOYD Mutasa is fully aware of the gravity of the task on his hands in the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup, but has promised to give former paymasters Dynamos full value for their money at Rufaro tomorrow.

Mutasa yesterday told The Herald that he wants his newboys Whawha to put aside their poor show in the Premiership campaign and stand up to be counted.

“It’s always tough playing Dynamos but I think we are well prepared under the circumstances. Hopefully, we will come out victors. I’m sure the supporters who will come on Saturday will get full value for their money,” said Mutasa.

“It will not be easy though. The scoreline in the first leg (league match) was very narrow which indicates that the match was tightly contested.

“Maybe they had underestimated us, I don’t know. But they were shocked. Now I believe they know what to expect and they should be hungry for a win at this point. “It’s important for us as well to win. Probably if we get a good run in the Chibuku Super Cup it could give us the stimulus that we need to help turnaround our fortunes in the league.

“So we need to apply ourselves. We need that game changer and I am sure a win over Dynamos will provide us with just that.”

Whawha have been finding it hard to stand the heat in their maiden Premiership involvement but they managed to beat DeMbare courtesy of Roy Useni’s goal.

But Mutasa was worried with his team which has conceded the most goals and scored the least in the league campaign.

They have beefed up their strike-force with the signing of former Warriors forward Nelson Maziwisa from FC Platinum and Clifton Mwale who was with the FC Platinum development side.

They also brought Dynamos juniors product Nigel Gandari who barely made a start after rejoining the Harare giants at the beginning of the season.

“We have a mixture of experienced players and talented youngsters, some of them who are in the Under-20 category and others Under-23.

“I know for sure these youngsters are eager to be part of the junior national teams and I believe this is the right platform for them to showcase themselves.

“And who knows? Maybe the Chibuku Cup will end up at Whawha this year. We’ve got to believe. We are here to prove to the nation that we are there to be counted as well,” said Mutasa.

DeMbare have a new coach Tonderai Ndiraya, who replaced David Mandigora last week, but got off to a poor start when the side lost 1-0 to bitter rivals Highlanders in the final of the ZNA Charities match.

DeMbare often find it difficult when playing against the small teams and team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday said Whawha should not be taken lightly.

“We have to win the game at all costs so we should play like we are facing CAPS United or Highlanders. Remember they beat us in the first leg.

“We have explained it to the players that there is nothing called a small team in the league,” said Chihoro. Dynamos are expecting all their players to be available for selection with Masimba Mambare the only major worry after picking a knee injury in the previous assignment.

Defender Sydney Linyama also limped off the pitch during the match but Chihoro said the injury was not as serious as initially feared. The good news is that Ronald Chitiyo is set to make a come-back after a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury.