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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS coach Hebert Maruwa will admit the road has not been smooth since taking over the reins at the beginning of the season.
He also needs no one to tell him the DeMbare job is one of the most challenging on the land.
In just 14 games at the helm, he has helped the Harare giants sit on top of the table for successive weeks and has won admiration of the club’s faithful.
During the same period, he has fallen foul of a section of Dynamos supporters and also survived a two-match ultimatum following a brief drought.
But after steadying the ship with two wins and a draw against four-time champions FC Platinum in his last three outings, things are looking up again.
Giants Dynamos find themselves hopping from one big match to the other as they travel to Bulawayo again today for the clash with 2015 champions Chicken Inn at Barbourfields.
Sitting in fifth position on the log standings with 22 points from 14 league games, Maruwa reckons the need to start winning consistently to bridge the gap between them and pace-setters Highlanders, who rule the roost with 28 points.
Ironically, DeMbare and Chicken Inn are tied on 22 points as they head into the clash at Barbourfields this afternoon.
“The team is in good shape,” said Maruwa.
“We are playing Chicken Inn away from home in Bulawayo after playing a goalless draw against FC Platinum. It’s another tough test.
“We need to make sure we prepare ourselves well and get a positive result.
“I think right now we need points to make sure we keep in touch with the leading teams. So for us to achieve our goal at the end of the season, we need to beat the champions if we want to be champions.
“Chicken Inn won the league in 2015 and they are a good side. So, we need to be at our best,” said Maruwa.
The Glamour Boys have met with mixed fortunes in their quest to end the championship drought. Dynamos last won a major trophy in 2014.
But as part of the club’s resolution for their 60th anniversary celebrations this year, they have targeted the Castle Lager Premiership title.
They will also have to do with playing some of their home games in Bulawayo at the moment due to a stadium crisis gripping the country.
DeMbare are set to welcome back in the fold captain Frank Makarati along with defender Elvis Moyo and striker Jayden Bakare from injuries. Winger Lewis Matindife and Brandon Moyo are still doubtful starters. “We have a large group of players to select our best team. So we are going to give everyone a chance to prove themselves.
“We have been challenging the players to keep on working hard. As coaches we keep on preparing them but sometimes as players they need to have personal; drive to work hard,” said Maruwa.
For the second week on the bounce, they travel to Bulawayo by air, much to the delight of the coach, who does not have to worry much about issues of fatigue.
“I’m happy the club managed to source the way of travelling. We are not using road and it’s helping us in terms of recovery. Rather than travelling by road, we are going by air, so it means in terms of recovery we are covered,” said Maruwa.
Chicken Inn are looking to bounce back to winning ways, after losing to FC Platinum and then drawing with new boys GreenFuel in their last two games.
The arrival of Tadiwa Chibunyu, a mid-season transfer signing from Cranborne Bullets, and Obert Malajila, has boosted Prince Matore’s modest side.
“Tadiwa played very well, solid in the middle of the park but we didn’t want to overload him because he only trained two days, Obert (Malajila) came in late and his movements were super and a good prospect going forward for sure,” said Matore
Chicken Inn have proved difficult opponents for DeMbare over the years and with players such as Marlvin Hwata, George Majika, Genius Mutungamiri, Brian Muza, Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Michael Charamba they have a competitive outfit.
Online Reporter