Ndiraya prays for peace

Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter

THE last installment of the battle of Zimbabwe saw both Highlanders and Dynamos supporters make a mockery of the local game by their unruly behaviour at Barbourfields Stadium in May, the two sides square off again this Sunday and Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya is praying for peace.

Highlanders and Dynamos were both fined for the fracas that got the game abandoned in the 92nd minute. Bosso were leading 1-0 when Dynamos fans invaded the pitch in protest against the goal.

The DeMbare supporters tore the nets and attempted to uproot the goalposts.

Bosso fans also threw missiles onto the pitch to display their anger after a crude tackle by Bill Antonio on defender Andrew Tandi, who subsequently suffered a fibula fracture.

Highlanders were awarded the match on a 3-0 score line by the Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee.

The setting this time will be the National Sports Stadium in the capital and one can only hope for peace.
Ndiraya is praying that violence does not occur.

“It’s an exciting match and I hope it will be played in a peaceful atmosphere and the fans can enjoy the match without any negative incidents, we don’t want that game to have violence hopefully we can all maintain peace and enjoy the entertainment of the big match of the weekend,” said Ndiraya ahead of the game.

On how he will motivate his players after a 1-0 defeat to Bulawayo City on Saturday, Ndiraya stated “This one is self-motivating. There is not much work that we can do as coaches when it comes to these big matches.

It’s a big one and we are waiting for it. It’s unfortunate we are getting into that game on the back of a defeat but this is what we find ourselves in and we just lift our heads and play.

“We are playing at home so we will try to make sure we use our home advantage and collect maximum points.”
Dynamos are on second position on the table and are tied with Chicken Inn on 56 points. They enjoy a superior goal difference compared to the Gamecocks.

The target for both teams is to finish in second place.

“We are tied with Chicken Inn but of course we have a superior goal difference. We want to push in the last three games. Dynamos is a team with lots of pressure that is public knowledge.

“The team has done so well this season to be in a position where we are. In 2019 we had a different team. In 2020 there was no football. In 2021 it was just those five games. This season for us to push the way we have pushed, l am happy,” said Ndiraya.

-@innocentskizoe