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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE international Thomas Sweswe has challenged Dynamos players to step up their act ahead of the blockbuster clash with Highlanders at Barbourfields this Sunday if the Harare giants want to keep alive their dream of lifting the Premiership soccer title for a third straight season.
Sweswe played for both teams before moving to South Africa.
The former Warriors defender has been following with keen interest events back home, especially the league marathon which is now heading for the home stretch.
Dynamos, under coach Callisto Pasuwa, are hoping to defend the title they won in the last two seasons but they trail Highlanders by two points at the top of the table with five games remaining in the season.
Team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday said Sunday’s game is a “must-win” to shore up their chances and keep the title race alive. Harare City and FC Platinum are also involved in the race as dark horses.
Sweswe, however, expressed his worry with Dynamos’ recent slump in form as he reminisced on past experiences with both teams during his stint in Zimbabwe.
“I have played for both teams and I know the pressure associated with the clashes. It’s on both sides and it comes from all corners and it’s usually not easy playing such games. I may not make a good prediction but the team that plays well and make good use of all its chances may win on the day.
“Personally, I would love to see Dynamos winning because that’s the team I grew up supporting. But, to be honest, it is not going to be easy for them if they don’t prepare well. I would like to challenge the team to work even harder.
“That’s the advice I can give them at this point because it looks Highlanders are in top form and if they can win and take a five-point lead at the weekend, there will be no way they will drop more points in their last four games. That may as well signal the end of Dynamos’ campaign,” Sweswe said.
DeMbare resumed training yesterday after resting on Monday and Tuesday to recover fully from the effects of the last weekend’s outing when they demolished lowly Tripple B 4-0 at Rufaro.
The victory was a big morale booster they needed ahead of this crucial clash after going through a lean spell that stretched four matches without winning.
The Harare giants were relieved with the availability of Oscar Machapa who was pulled out of the match in their previous game after picking an injury.
If history is anything to go by, Dynamos should be carrying a psychological edge against Highlanders in the realisation of the fact that they have not lost a league match against their opponents in the last seven years.
DeMbare’s last defeat at the hands of Highlanders was back in 2006 when they lost back-to-back with the Bulawayo giants going all the way to win the championship.
Dynamos have won six of the last 13 meetings since then with seven ending in stalemate. It will be interesting on Sunday since Dynamos coach Pasuwa has not lost a match to Kelvin Kaindu, and vice versa.
But the Glamour Boys have performed below average this year while Highlanders were on the rise. The previous three meetings from 2012 have ended in 1-1 draws with Dynamos surviving at home in the last encounter when Partson Jaure scored deep into injury-time to salvage a point at Rufaro.
Bosso had dominated the match and were duly thrust into the lead by their rejuvenated striker Njabulo “JB” Ncube who has been instrumental in their campaign this season.
Bosso appear to hit top form in their last three matches in which they demolished Buffaloes 3-0 in a cup game, Tripple B 4-1 in a league match which was followed by another 3-0 win at Black Rhinos.
Sweswe believes Highlanders will be more determined this time, basing on the momentum they have built.
“On paper, Highlanders have an edge over Dynamos in this match. They have a strong team and they are playing at home and if you look at their recent matches, they have been on top of their game. A draw will not be a bad result for them as well if they may want to be cautious.
“If you ask me, I would say Dynamos are going into this match as the underdogs, but form in such big games usually does not count.
“It’s advantage Bosso, but usually it’s not safe to underrate Dynamos because of their form. Of course they have been erratic but these guys know they need maximum points from this game to brighten their chances of winning the championship. I have seen Dynamos raising their game even with average players,” Sweswe said.
Online Reporter