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Paul Mundandi, Zvishavane Correspondent
FC PLATINUM coach, Lloyd “Samaita” Mutasa has warned Dynamos to brace for an uphill task when the two teams clash in a Castle Lager Premiership at the National Sports Stadium in Harare tomorrow.“We are hungrier for victory than them. We are coming from a defeat and they managed a draw against Shabanie which means we are hungrier,” said Mutasa whose side edged Highlanders 3-2 in the semi-finals of the Army Charities tournament.
Dynamos will meet FC Platinum for the third time since Mutasa took over the reigns at the platinum miners. The soft-spoken coach, who has strong Dynamos links having been a former player and coach, is still to lose a match against his former team.
Last year Mutasa beat Dynamos 2-0 at Mandava Stadium but the defending champions however remained resolute as they went on to defend their league title.
Mutasa again in April guided FC Platinum to victory over DeMbare in the Independence Cup final on April 18. It was a match Dynamos appeared on course to win after a 17th minute strike by Thomas Magorimbo but Wisdom who is his son, fell in the area under a clumsy challenge from Tichaona Mabvura and referee Batsirayi Muchenje awarded the visitors a penalty.
Qadr Amin held his nerve and converted from the spot when he sent George Chigova the wrong way.
FC Platinum enjoy a passing game but at times they are let down by their defence which is normally caught off guard especially in the dying minutes of their matches.
“The match tomorrow will be strongly contested as both teams need points. It is high time we showed our mettle by beating them in their own backyard and move closer to the leading pack since we have the arsenal to take us through.”
Callisto Pasuwa is under pressure to deliver and he would love to beat FC Platinum at home.
“We are ready physiologically and we want to make it three in a row. Pasuwa (Callisto) has been in this position before and knows how to handle the scenario,” added Mutasa
Missing the services of Daniel Vheremu in defence through injury, Mutasa is likely to unleash Walter Musona, Allan Gahadzikwa and Tatenda Mudehwe upfront.
Gahadzikwa has found a new lease of life under Mutasa and his passing game suits his coach’s play very well. Former Dynamos son Gift Bello, James Marufu, Stephen Sibanda, Simon Shoko, Donald Ngoma and Tarisai Rukanda are some players that might cause misery to the multitude of Dynamos fans.
Njabulo Ncube is still to make an impression since joining the platinum miners from Highlanders.
Dynamos however will not let the points go easily as they boast the likes of Tafadzwa “Fire” Rusike, a South African football reject, Ronald Chitiyo and seasoned campaigners in Partson Jaure, Devon Chafa, Oscar Machapa, Tawanda Magorimbo and Sidney Linyama.
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu