tawandamusarurwa
Langton Nyakwenda
ALTHOUGH it seems a bit premature, some Dynamos fans are already questioning
coach Herbert Maruwa’s ability to lead the Harare giants following subdued performances
in the last three weeks.
DeMbare have not only dropped four points in their last two league matches but they failed to find the back of the net as well. The Glamour Boys also fired blanks in the Independence Cup, which they lost on penalties to major rivals Highlanders in Mt Darwin on Tuesday.
But to their credit, DeMbare have been solid at the back. They are the only team yet
to concede in the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
It’s early days yet, but Maruwa looks like he has found the right formula for his defence.
However, his strikers are struggling to find their range.
“It’s a plus for the team (that we are not conceding), we now need to make sure we work
on the second and third lines of our team. “Goals will come; it’s a phase, we need to keep working hard,” Maruwa said.
Defensively, DeMbare are not worried and have also been boosted by news that influential
centre-back and skipper Frank Makarati has fully recovered ahead of their clash with winless Bulawayo Chiefs at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
Makarati sustained a deep cut on the head when he collided with teammate Donald Mudadi in DeMbare’s 0-0 draw against Simba Bhora on Match Day Three.
The duo, however, featured in their team’s following match, another goalless draw with
winless Cranborne Bullets. Playing through the pain barrier, Mudadi only lasted 60 minutes.
Both Makarati and Mudadi then missed the Uhuru Cup last week.
They were joined on the sidelines by crowd favourite Denver Mukamba and Tinashe Makanda.
Of the quartet, only Makarati has recovered. This could be a blow for Dynamos, who need to win to silence their critics. Maruwa, in particular, is desperate for a win as it will give his team a big boost ahead of next weekend’s highly anticipated Harare Derby.
Dynamos and CAPS United will lock horns at the National Sports Stadium next Sunday.
But DeMbare have to first deal with Chiefs, who are yet to win a league match in 2023.
They might look like easy prey for DeMbare but their coach Lizwe Sweswe has been firing
warning shots.
“With (all) due respect to Dynamos, my message is, the Amakhosi boys are coming to
the National Sports Stadium and never think they will come there as a pushover.
“We are coming to fight and we are coming for maximum points,’’ Sweswe declared.
“We need to win because it will be a breakthrough in terms of confidence within the
camp.”
Chiefs have managed three draws and two losses from their opening five matches.
Last weekend, they salvaged a 2-2 draw against Chicken Inn, when their star player
Mthokozisi Msebe scored a beautiful equaliser in the dying minutes. Msebe (23) is one of the most underrated players in the league, yet he is a composed player with an eye for that fine pass and ability to get into scoring positions.
On their part, Chiefs have not been that bad. Twice, against Ngezi Platinum Stars and
FC Platinum, they blew their lead. They ended up drawing 1-1 in their opening
match against Madamburo at Luveve, before falling to a 1-2 defeat to the champions on
Match Day Three.
“The boys have been doing very well in the past games we have played. I think what we
need now is the sharpness of the team.
“Once they become sharp, we will post positive results,” added Sweswe.
“We are going to play Dynamos, which is a big team in Zimbabwe . . . Every time they
play, they will be backed by a huge crowd. “I like playing big teams, the reason being
that to me, it’s a test of my character and the players’ character.”
Dynamos and Chiefs have met six times in the league since the latter’s promotion to the
top-flight in 2018. The Glamour Boys have three wins, Chiefs have one and the other two meetings ended in stalemate.
Online Reporter