We are not party spoilers, says Chigowe

Langton Nyakwenda

LLOYD CHIGOWE was at it again yesterday.

The articulate gaffer dropped another juicy line soon after overseeing Dynamos’ training session at Alex Sports Club.

DeMbare are preparing to face title aspirants FC Platinum at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.

Pure Platinum Play have 54 points, and trail log leaders Simba Bhora by six points, going into the last four rounds of the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.

A win for Dynamos will derail Pure Platinum Play who are out to maintain pressure on the Go Buju Go.

A loss for DeMbare will be detrimental to log leaders Simba Bhora, who will surely be supporting the Glamour Boys on Sunday.
It’s an interesting scenario.

Although this time around Chigowe did not describe the match against FC Platinum as a humdinger, the lanky gaffer still had some more interesting nuggets to share.

“We are not going to spoil anyone’s party, but we also have to party ourselves,” quipped Chigowe.

Dynamos fizzled out of the championship race a long time ago and are now a massive 19 points behind log leaders Simba Bhora.

So poor have DeMbare been in the league this season that they have averaged 1,4 points per game.

They have 41 points from 29 points and are ninth on the log, going into their last five games of the season.

DeMbare have an outstanding league fixture against Ngezi Platinum Stars.

Nonetheless, the probability of Dynamos finishing in the top four is very low, as they now have a realistic chance of either a top six or top eight finish.

But they have something to play for when they meet FC Platinum at their favourite hunting ground on Sunday.

It was at Rufaro where Dynamos rose from the dead last weekend and snatched a last gasp equaliser, to force their semi-final match against Manica Diamonds into a penalty shootout.

DeMbare eventually won the lottery 4-2 and will now face Ngezi Platinum Stars at the same venue on November 30, in a repeat of last year’s grand finale.

That is the kind of spirit Chigowe is demanding from his boys when they clash against FC Platinum on Sunday.

“We go in there as Dynamos, a brand that needs to come to the party.

“These are the kind of games which we should show our qualities,” said Chigowe.

FC Platinum are still in with a decent chance of upstaging Simba Bhora and clinch their fifth league title.

They just need to keep winning their games to maintain pressure on Simba Bhora who have some tricky fixtures coming.

Go Buju Go play a revived CAPS United at Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva tomorrow, a day before Pure Platinum Play’s clash against DeMbare.

Simba Bhora could go nine points clear, for at least 24 hours, if they beat Makepekepe.

That’s why Chigowe thinks the pressure is on FC Platinum.

“We are not under any pressure, we know FC Platinum want it desperately,” he said.

Added the eloquent gaffer: “When you are desperate sometimes you are forced to make some mistakes, but when you play your normal game without pressure there’s an added advantage.”

The reverse fixture ended 1-0 in favour of FC Platinum at Mandava, courtesy of a 61st minute strike by Wilfred Muvirimi.

That was FC Platinum’s first league win against Dynamos since September 29, 2018, when the miners claimed a 2-0 win in Zvishavane.

After that game, DeMbare registered one win at Mandava before the two teams played out five consecutive goalless draws.
Dynamos also knocked FC Platinum out of last year’s Chibuku Super Cup.

“At the end of the day, we have got a good background going into this match,” says Chigowe, who will miss the services of Emmanuel Jalai and goalie Martin Mapisa.

Both are on national team duty while Nomore Chinyerere is attending to some personal issues.

Luckily, DeMbare welcome back Ghanaian midfielder, Frederick Ansa Botchway, who has recovered from a long-term injury.

However, Chigowe still regards FC Platinum highly.

“FC Platinum are one of the leading lights of the league and they are looking at a chance to sniff at the championship.”

Pure Platinum Play won four consecutive league championships in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021/2022, equalling the previous Premier Soccer League record set by Highlanders (1999-2002) and Dynamos (2011-2014).

The Midlands side have some exciting players like Juan Mutudza, Panashe Mutimbanyoka, Jarrison Selemani and the underrated Brian “BB” Banda.

Skipper Rainsome Pavari has also been doing well in a new centre back role.