Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
MANDAVA is the place to be today!
Forget about the Dynamos’ relegation battle against championship-chasing surprise newboys MWOS at Rufaro or Simba Bhora’s quest to hold on to the summit when they host Chicken Inn this afternoon.
The Scottland match against FC Platinum has got all the ingredients “for a thriller in the jungle’’.
Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya keen to parade his marquee signing Knowledge Musona who joined the club on Monday after returning home from a professional career that spanned three continents.
Pundits agree that Ndiraya has assembled a formidable outfit after also luring Warriors forward Terrence Dzvukamanja, Malawian Khuda Myaba, Moses Shidolo of Namibia and Young Warriors sensation Mafious Chihweta, who signed from Highlanders on Wednesday, just in time for the close of the transfer window.
FC Platinum have been modest during the window, adding only Erick Manokore and Hastings Chapush to their roaster.
But Norman Mapeza’s men have been on the ascendency and will be out with their confidence high, being the only team yet to taste defeat this season.
Their 22-match unbeaten run will be put to test.
Both teams have shot back in the title race after going on similar four-match winning streaks. Ndiraya, however, has remained cautious.
“I should say, for us it’s a big game. And I’m sure even for the league, it’s also a very big game.
“We all know what FC Platinum does, and especially at Mandava. It’s going to be our first time to play there of course as a team, but of course as players, there’s so much experience in the (Scottland) team.
“All the players that we have, have played at Mandava except for a few, and of course Knowledge included.
“So, we expect the team to be calm and make sure that we play the way we play. I think that’s the most important thing,” said Ndiraya.
Scottland have one of the strongest squads and their recent wins over Ngezi Platinum Stars, Highlanders, Bikita Minerals and Yadah Stars have sent a huge statement of intent as they rose to second place on the log standings with 43 points, just one behind log leaders Simba Bhora, who host Chicken Inn art Wadzanai in Shamva.
Ndiraya will be hoping to have all his players available for selection against this in-form FC Platinum side, who are also chasing maximum points and possibly end the day in second place today.
“Big games normally bring with them a lot of pressure. Players tend to forget to play the way they are supposed to play.
“And hopefully we can go there with a lot of confidence and take the game to FC Platinum. But I must admit that it’s going to be a very, very tough match. A very difficult match for us.
“We played 1-1 here in the first round. So, we’re also looking to go there and get a result. But it’s a very difficult match,” said Ndiraya.
His opposite number Mapeza has maintained composure ahead of the big clash. Having coached most of the stars in the Scottland squad during his days as national team coach, Mapeza knows all too well the threat posed by the visitors.
Their star power has only intensified the hype around the encounter, so much so that FC Platinum has hiked gate charges, with the cheapest ticket now set at $5.
“We know, everybody knows, the challenges we’re going to face on Saturday. We’re facing a very, very good team. I think one of the best assembled squads in the country,” said Mapeza.
“Their intentions are very clear. If you look at their position on the log, we don’t need anybody to tell you what they really want. You know, so we know the challenges we’re going to face and we’re ready.
“I’m happy the boys have been pushing. What is important is just for us to put everything into this game and see what happens come end of the day.”
Mapeza is looking for continuity from his team, as they look for a strong finish in the second half of the campaign.
On 40 points, and with a game in hand, FC Platinum are very much in the mix for this year’s championship. They trail log leaders Simba Bhora by four points.
The heat is also getting unbearable at the bottom of the table where giants Dynamos are fighting for survival alongside teams such as Kwekwe United, Manica Diamonds, Yadah, GreenFuel and Bikita Minerals who host giants CAPS United at Gibbo tomorrow.
As they host surprise newboys MWOS today, Dynamos have vowed to go into every game with a must-win mentality.
Assistant coach Takesure Chinyama took the team through their paces in yet another chaotic week that saw stand-in coach Philemon Mutyakureva kicked out.
By last night Dynamos had not secured a substantive coach as their target Zambian Kelvin Kaindu was yet to get his work permit, which is set for release on Monday after all the club secured and submitted all the paperwork including supporting documents from the Sports and Recreation Commission.
However, Chinyama remained confident, with former Yadah coach Thomas Ruzive also joining the technical team as Kaindu’s assistant.
“Well, first of all, I want to take this opportunity to thank my Dynamos executive for giving me the opportunity to train Dynamos these past two days,” said Chinyama.
“The preparations went well. It was well, like always. The message has been the same like from the previous coach. It’s not going to be easy. As you can see, MWOS were playing very, very good for the past, I think, half of the season.
“And we as Dynamos, where we are now, everyone knows the only way to get out from that position is to start winning. And we’ll try our best on Saturday to collect maximum points,” said Chinyama.
DeMbare are sitting second from the bottom with 16 points from 23 games. They need to win at least eight of the remaining 11 games to boost their chances of survival.
But last Sunday they collapsed to their worst defeat of the season when going down 0-3 to Chicken Inn.
“Yeah, that defeat was very painful. Of late, if you can check, I think this is the first game where Dynamos conceded three goals, and it was an away game.
“So, we just tell the guys, no one is going to change this position, unless ourselves. Don’t expect miracles, but we need to train.
“We have to train well, prepare well and play good and win matches. Starting from Saturday, I think we’ll do our best and collect maximum points,” said Chinyama.
Dynamos are currently eight points under, in the relegation matrix. MWOS in contrast are gunning for a top finish after leading the table for most of the first half.
The Norton side, coached by former Dynamos player and coach Lloyd Mutasa, are third in the race with 42 points, two behind the log leaders. They however recently lost steam and are winless in their last four games.
“We’re not looking much on what MWOS is aiming to get,” said Chinyama.
“But as Dynamos, what we want to achieve is to fight relegation. So, our target now is only to get on the 14th position. I think we’ll be home and safe. But these remaining 11 matches, I think each game will be like a cup game. And that’s where we can say in football, men will be separated from boys,” said Chinyama.
Fixtures:
Today: TelOne v Manica Diamonds (Ascot), Simba Bhora v Chicken Inn (Wadzanai), Dynamos v MWOS (Rufaro), ZPC Kariba v GreenFuel (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Scottland (Mandava), Yadah Stars v Triangle (The Heart Stadium).
Tomorrow: Herentals v Kwekwe United (Rufaro), Bikita Minerals v CAPS United (Gibbo), Highlanders v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Barbourfields).
