Chronicle Editor
Eddie Chikamhi, Harare Bureau
DYNAMOS showman Denver Mukamba will not be part of the action as the Glamour Boys are set to miss five key players for their home game against Yadah at Barbourfields on Sunday.
The midfielder, who has gained popularity with the Glamour Boys fans for his entertaining football more than the punch, is one of the three players suspended for picking up three yellow cards, along with midfield kingpin Tanaka Shandirwa and defender Kelvin Moyo.
Defender Donald Dzvinyai, who missed a penalty last week in the 0-1 defeat to new boys GreenFuel, is also out with an illness while winger Issa Sadiki, on loan from Yadah, will not feature against his parent club as per contractual obligations.
However, Dynamos coach Herbert Maruwa was not losing sleep because of the setback.
“We registered 30 players and I’m hopeful anyone who will be given a chance to play is going to impress.
“There are things you cannot control as a coach but now it’s happening and we will miss these guys but we have to play the game. Those who are going to play will have to do well and try to cement their places in the team,” said Maruwa.
The Glamour Boys will be aiming for victory to keep abreast with the leading teams as the league programme reaches half way stage this weekend.
They are currently sitting in fifth place on the log standings with 25 points from 16 games. They have fallen nine points from the leading team Highlanders because of inconsistent results.
Their opponents Yadah have had a challenging campaign and are 14th in the race with 17 points.
“Yadah have always been a stubborn opponent for us but this time around we have to make sure we win.
“At this stage of the season we have to make sure we go there and get three points.
“At this stage of the season every team is playing for something, some are playing to avoid relegation and some are in the title race so we have to distinguish yourself. But we will need to be at our best,” said Maruwa.
This is a battle of former DeMbare development coaches as Maruwa will meet another former Dynamos youth coach Expense Chitukutuku, who is now in charge of Yadah.
Following last week’s defeat to minnows GreenFuel, Dynamos cannot afford to drop more points to a lightweight team like Yadah.
The Prophet Walter Magaya-owned stunned DeMbare when the teams last met in June 2022. That was the first time Yadah beat DeMbare since they got promoted in 2017.
Losing to GreenFuel last week was a wakeup call to DeMbare who were getting complacent after a good run of results prior to the defeat, according to Maruwa.
The Glamour Boys even missed a penalty before conceding a second half goal that denied them a point against a side that was wallowing deep in the relegation zone.
“It’s disappointing to lose a game to a team in the relegation places especially when we seemed to be heading in the right direction in the period leading up to that match.
“We played so well and dominated the game against GreenFuel, but we lacked a bit of cutting edge on the goal and our opponents’ goal came from the one chance they created.
“But it’s part of the game that you win, draw, and lose. But as Dynamos we have to bounce back and we are happy with the progress we are making as a team,” said Maruwa.
Fixtures
Saturday: Chicken Inn v Hwange (Luveve), Manica Diamonds v Bulawayo Chiefs (Gibbo), ZPC Kariba v Cranborne Bullets (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Sheasham (Mandava)
Sunday: Ngezi Platinum Stars v Highlanders (Baobab), Black Rhinos v Simba Bhora (Bata), Dynamos v Yadah (Barbourfields), Triangle v GreenFuel (Gibbo), Herentals v Caps Utd (Mandava)
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