adminAugustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
CHAMPIONS Dynamos know that they have to win, against a team they have never beaten in Bulawayo, or their quest for a third straight Castle Lager Premiership title will end in tears in the City of Kings.
The Glamour Boys take on Chicken Inn at Barbourfields knowing that nothing short of victory will be enough to take their battle for league honours to the final weekend of the championship.
Chicken Inn coach, Joey Antipas, said it would be “one hell of a match” and there is no doubt that DeMbare’s arrival, for this make-or-break tie, will light the blue touch paper in the City of Kings.
The defending league champions had a fruitful outing on their last visit to Barbourfields when they edged Highlanders 1-0 with a late strike from leftback Ocean Mushure, who is ineligible for this encounter.
Pasuwa wants his charges to show the same character as they aim for nothing short of three points against Chicken Inn who could be backed a huge section of Bosso fans.
But even without the outside pressures, Chicken Inn have proved to be worthy opponents against Dynamos after winning the tie 1-0 last year at Barbourfields and gallantly forcing a draw at Rufaro early this year.
Dynamos have never won a match against Chicken Inn in Bulawayo after the 2011 clash at Luveve ended in a 0-0 draw.
“We are going out there and we need the three points coming our way. We really need the three points and we are not going to play for a draw.
“A draw or a defeat might come but we are aiming for a win and that’s the name of the game. When we are preparing, we always prepare for a win,” said Pasuwa.
Dynamos have failed to win their last two league matches against Triangle (2-2) and Shabanie Mine (1-1) and have since surrendered the top position to Bosso who are on 51 points. Strikers Simba Sithole and Washington Pakamisa missed a glut of chances during the mid-week tie against Shabanie while Cliff Sekete and Boban Zirintusa could at have least scored a goal each.
Pasuwa is hopeful that his troops will be more precise in front of the goal while he hopes for a formidable defence with the return of Patson Jaure and Oscar Machapa.
Their inspirational skipper Murape Murape and his deputy Tawanda Muraparati are also up for selection for the midfield duels.
“We have been getting there in the 18-area but it’s the technique that is lacking of putting the ball behind the net.
“At this stage of the season, we need character from the players for us to win this championship,” he said. Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro said he knows that playing against Chicken Inn in Bulawayo will not be a stroll in the park. “We know that it’s not going to be an easy game in Bulawayo because of what has been happening in our games over the last few games.
“Our preparations have been fine and we know that we are entering the lion’s den and should be prepared.
“It’s good that we have some of the guys coming back into the team after they had either been suspended or injured,” said Chihoro.
However, behind the beauty of the game on the pitch, Chihoro fears that some unseen forces from the underworld could try and influence the outcome of the game.
“We have been talking about a conspiracy to derail our hopes for the championship for a long time now.
“Now, we just hope to remain focused and play our normal game and see what happens. I am sure the whole world will be watching,” said Chihoro. This week, Murape torched a storm when he alleged some match officials were bent on seeing to it that Dynamos will not retain the championship but remains upbeat on their chances of winning the league. Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas was equally upbeat on their prospects of a victory.
They thrashed relegated Tripple B 4-1 at Dulibadzimu in their last game.
“It’s going to be one hell of a game for sure because the stakes are high for both teams. Dynamos are aiming for the championship while we want the points to finish in a good spot in the league,” said Antipas.
Antipas will be hoping that his chief striker Tendai Ndoro and former Motor Action kingpin Clement Matawu will come to the party while Felix Chindungwe has matured during the year.
The Glamour Boys have, over the years, perfected the art of rising to the occasion when everyone has dismissed them as a threat. A few weeks ago they did it the hard way when they went to Barbourfields and turned on a good second half show to beat Highlanders. They have the capacity to do it, and the men who can rise to the occasion, although Chicken Inn will ensure that this will be an explosive contest.
A DeMbare victory tomorrow, coupled with Bosso dropping points at Rufaro, will see the Glamour Boys back on top of the table and, with one game to go, they will have their fate in their hands.
Two years ago, they went to Mandava and beat FC Platinum in the penultimate game of the championship race and all but won the title that afternoon as their final game against Kiglon was a mere formality.
Now they have to do that at Barbourfields again tomorrow.
Is that chancing fate too much? Their opponents will feel that way, their fans will say that’s what makes the Glamour Boys special.
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