Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MIDDLE of the table side GreenFuel are hoping to welcome midfielder Ronald Chitiyo as they look to take advantage of the woes of struggling Premiership giants Dynamos in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match in Chisumbanje today.
Chitiyo returned to training this week after missing the Ethanol Boys’ defeat to Herentals at the weekend because of illness.
With the diminutive midfielder back to fitness, GreenFuel coach Taurai Mangwiro feels tempted to set him up against his former paymasters as the Lowveld side look to keep a clean record at home, where they have never lost a match.
Mangwiro told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday that they were also monitoring their forwards — veteran Perfect Chikwende and Godknows Matinha, who were nursing knocks from the last assignment.
Midfielder Adrian Silla is also expected back in the fold as GreenFuel look to bounce back strongly from the weekend disappointment.
“Everyone was hurt by the defeat against Herentals because we thought we played well. So, we would want to atone for that disappointment by doing well at home against an equally struggling side.
“But we need to be at our best, and we are praying that our fans come out in numbers and make the atmosphere electric,” said Mangwiro.
However, Mangwiro, who also has a strong DeMbare background in his DNA, has revealed he will be cautious against the Glamour Boys. DeMbare are currently punching below their weight and have not won a match in their last four league outings.
But they are a side Mangwiro believes can only be underestimated at one’s peril.
After encountering three defeats on the trot, DeMbare laboured to a goalless draw against financially crippled minnows Kwekwe United, who had hastily arranged a team following a boycott by the players the previous week. Dynamos’ challenges have also been amplified by their failures in front of goal, as they have also not scored a goal in the last four games.
“We don’t have to undermine them because of their struggles because Dynamos will always be Dynamos,” said Mangwiro.
“They are like a wounded lion under these circumstances, so we expect them to come fighting. But, at the same time, we feel we can compound their woes since they are already down, which is why we are saying we don’t have to focus on their problems. What we need is to concentrate on our play and make sure we aim for maximum points.”
GreenFuel have been unconquerable at their Arena since it was homologated by the ZIFA First Instance Board.
“We have always done well at home, but we don’t want to fall into the trap of complacency or false sense of security because every game is different,” said Mangwiro.
The Dynamos camp is getting restless as results keep eluding their team. The problems facing their side are many, but the immediate one is the need to score goals and start winning games.
They have two goals in their name after eight games, but coach Lloyd Chigowe has remained as defiant as he is positive.
“I think sometimes it’s a question of psychology,” he said.
“It’s a question of confidence. Once these boys hit the nets, I think one of these days they’ll tear one other team apart,” said Chigowe.
After eight games, they sit in an unfamiliar 14th position on the log standings with seven points, while GreenFuel are a bit higher in ninth position with 10 points.
Fellow Harare giants CAPS United also have a tricky assignment against former champions FC Platinum at Rufaro.
Deep in the relegation zone, Makepekepe snapped a four-match losing streak last weekend when they edged Yadah 1-0.
They are hoping to ride on the momentum to usher in a breath of fresh air in their camp after supporters had turned against head coach Lloyd Chitembwe. The club responded by issuing a two-match ultimatum, which lapses this afternoon.
Fixtures:
Today: Chicken Inn v TelOne (Luveve), Kwekwe Utd v Simba Bhora (Bata), GreenFuel v Dynamos (GreenFuel Arena), Triangle v ZPC Kariba (Gibbo), CAPS Utd v FC Platinum (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Yadah (Baobab), Highlanders v Bikita Minerals (Barbourfields)
Tomorrow: Scottland v Herentals (Rufaro), MWOS v Manica Diamonds (Ngoni).
