Shandirwa returns for Dynamos

Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter

DYNAMOS coach Genesis Mangombe will need to reshuffle his team a bit once again tomorrow as midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa has returned for the trip to ZPC Kariba while Donald Mudadi will serve a red card suspension.  

The Glamour Boys are desperate to keep the pressure at the top after beating log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars during the midweek to keep their title hopes alive, going into the last six games of the season. 

Shandirwa missed the game against Ngezi Platinum Stars due to a back injury and his replacement Shadreck Nyahwa, who had been shut out for a number of games, returned to the starting line-up and put in a commendable shift.   

But as Shandirwa returns, their star player Mudadi will have to watch from the sidelines after he needlessly picked a second yellow from referee Edward Mucharambeyi for delaying his departure from the pitch as DeMbare fought hard to defend a 2-1 lead against Ngezi Platinum. 

“We would have loved to have all our players for every game. Unfortunately, there is a forced change on Mudadi and it’s sad he was booked under those circumstances. But I am sure we have many players waiting for that opportunity,” said Mangombe. 

The good news for the Glamour Boys, however, is the return of Shandirwa has recovered from a back injury suffered during the national team training camp last week. 

“Shandirwa is now fine and has been training well. He is available for selection but he has to prove himself that he deserves a place in the team. A decision will be made on that after analyzing all the players. 

“We have registered 30 players and we are teaching them the same philosophy and like I said before, we have a bunch of committed players who all want to excel. Remember we played the last game without him and we won. That is what Dynamos is about,” said Mangombe. 

Dynamos are currently third in the race with 46 points and a game in hand. Log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars, who host Yadah at Baobab tomorrow, have 54 points. 

Although there are still half a dozen games to play, Ngezi Platinum appear to have set themselves up for something big this season. 

But DeMbare’s win over Takesure Chiragwi’s men has given the Glamour Boys renewed energy to fight, although they should not expect an easy stroll in Kariba, where the hosts find themselves flirting with relegation. 

ZPC Kariba have won their last two games at home They beat new boys GreenFuel 1-0 and then shocked champions FC Platinum 2-1.

“We are going there on the back of a very good result against Ngezi Platinum Stars,” said Mangombe.  “So, my prayer is that we don’t get complacent, we need to keep focus because this is not going to be an easy match for us. 

“ZPC Kariba are at home and it is not easy for any team during this time of the year to go and play in Kariba because of the high temperatures.  

“We are also wary of them since they are a team that is in the relegation zone. They are capable of doing anything to survive. Remember they upset champions FC Platinum recently. 

“So, we do not want to fall into the same pitfall. I believe we have done our preparations well. There is healthy competition for places in the team and the players are enjoying it. Everyone wants to do well for the team.”

Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Chiragwi said they would want to bounce back to winning ways as quickly as possible to keep marching in their campaign to win the league title for the first time since 2026 when they got promoted. 

“It’s not yet over. The eight-point lead is because we have done our job and we deserve to have the points because No one gave them to us on a silver platter but we worked for them. 

“So we need to keep on working hard if we are to maintain, which is good. That’s exactly what we want because the more we maintain that’s how the team improves to keep on pushing forward,” said Chiragwi. 

CAPS United, who appear to have recovered from a 10-match slump, will be at home against basement side Cranborne Bullets at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow. 

Makepekepe, who all along have been counted in the relegation matrix, have won their last three games on the trot and are back in the top half of the log standings. 

Fixtures:

Tomorrow: Black Rhinos v Chicken Inn (Bata), Triangle v Simba Bhora (Gibbo), FC Platinum v GreenFuel (Mandava), Herentals v Sheasham (NSS)

Sunday: Manica Diamonds v Hwange (Gibbo), ZPC Kariba v Dynamos (Nyamhunga), Bulawayo Chiefs v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Yadah (Baobab), CAPS Utd v Cranborne Bullets (NSS)