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Harare Bureau
NEWBOYS Chiredzi coach Moses Chunga will not be making any special plans ahead of their clash with defending champions Dynamos tomorrow but wants his charges to put behind them the poor experiences they have encountered so far in their debut season and rise to the stage at Chishamiso Stadium.
Chiredzi have only managed one win in eight starts and they lost their fifth game during the midweek in the 3-0 defeat at Shabanie Mine.
This is not the kind of start they would have desired in their hopes to make it through their first season in the topflight.
Chunga however reckons on a good day they have the capacity to stand their ground against any team in the Premiership despite operating under difficult conditions.
Chunga, as a result, is devoting much of his energy on the long term goal of making his project tick as he looks to make the side last the distance in the league marathon this year.
Chiredzi need mental strength to take the challenge tomorrow and Chunga wants his team to improve in their finishing as he hopes his strikers, who are led by a former DeMbare prodigy Norman Maroto, will find their range.
The outspoken coach said it was interesting how he always gets the spotlight whenever he plays his former paymasters and yesterday the former DeMbare player and coach refused to be drawn much into discussing the Dynamos game in isolation.
“People usually associate me with Dynamos and that is a notion that has been there for a long time in football circles. I cannot do anything to change that.
“I played for Dynamos yes and I coached the team as well but people should also recognise that I am a professional, if you know what it means.
“My bread is buttered here at Chiredzi and my job is to deliver for the team. So our wish is to win games no matter which team we play and I hope my players will rise to the occasion on Sunday,” said Chunga.
Chiredzi gave their players rest yesterday to recover from the effects of their trip to Shabanie Mine and will have a light session today as they wrap up preparations for the match.
Chunga will be hoping that forwards Maroto, Malvern Gaki, Sam Msimbu and youthful Munyaradzi Chiwara give him joy by scoring at home as he believes a lot of opportunities have gone to waste in previous games.
With no serious injuries to talk about, they also look for inspiration from players such as Brighton Pamhirwa, Tapiwa Dephistara, Wellington Kamudyariwa and Abel Gwatidzo who joined them from Dynamos.
“We have the arsenal to destroy any team but my main worry is that we are not taking advantage of the chances that we are getting.
“I know the problem and I am taking care of it. I am sure in the near future we will get everything right,” said Chunga.
Their opponents Dynamos are also going through a difficult period early in the season and the Harare giants are under pressure to get their act together in defence of their title.
Despite winning their last game against FC Platinum on Wednesday, Dynamos appear like they are yet to hit the right chords if they entertain hopes for a fourth straight title.
Their forwards have been struggling in front of goal and coach Callisto Pasuwa has banned the players from talking to the media as he tries to deal with the pressure.
Team manager Richard Chihoro said they still miss some of their key players like Tawanda Muparati, Masimba Mambare, Clive Kawinga and Farai Mupasiri through injury. The duo of Anesu Gondo and Devon Chafa have begun light training but are still not available for selection.
“None of our injured players have returned but we are hoping that Devon and Anesu should be back by next week. Despite those setbacks, I think we are prepared for the game. It’s tricky though because Chiredzi are new and we don’t have much knowledge about them,” said Chihoro.
Online Reporter