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Maglas tomorrow or they will crash out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
That’s the reality that faces the Glamour Boys who have to clear a tricky hurdle, erected by a Wild Boys team with nothing to lose, but with the potential to win the richest knockout tournament in the history of Zimbabwean football.
Dynamos are second in the Premiership race, just a point behind leaders FC Platinum, but they have been playing like the Manchester United of last season – when it comes to their away matches.
The Glamour Boys are yet to win outside their Harare fortress in the league this season – having drawn at Maglas against Shabanie, drawn at Luveve against Chicken Inn, drawn at Barbourfields against Highlanders, lost to Zimbabwe Saints in Bulawayo and lost to Masvingo United at Mucheke.
Away from Fortress Rufaro, DeMbare have been jittery, if not downright ordinary, and their performance against Yuna Yuna was such an eyesore, assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya was right that they could still have lost even if they had played for three days.
It’s something that they have to change and that’s why a lot of neutrals still believe FC Platinum will be champions, at the end of the season, because they don’t believe this Dynamos team can win in Hwange and at Mandava.
Lloyd Mutasa, who coached DeMbare in the first half of the season, also told our sister newspaper, H-Metro, that his money was on FC Platinum to win the league.
Maybe that’s why Dynamos have chosen to take the path of caution in the Mbada Diamonds Cup against lowly Shooting Stars in a quarter-final match at Maglas tomorrow.
DeMbare are coming into the game on the back of a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Highlanders in their last assignment but team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday said they will accord Shooting Stars the respect they deserve.
The Wild Boys, who are stuck deep in relegation trouble, in the league championship, are eager to turn things around following a run of four winless matches in the league.
“Cup games are a dog-eat-dog affair. You cannot afford to be ill-prepared or to look down upon your opponents just because they have not been doing well,” said Chihoro.
“Shooting Stars are a good side despite being in the relegation zone.
“It’s a team that can beat any team on a good day and we are treating this game like any other game and that requires us to be serious.
“We must also not forget that there are monetary incentives involved here and I am sure everyone wants it.
“So we have to be at our best. All the players are looking forward to this game.”
DeMbare are in high spirits in their chase for a double this season after reducing the gap between them and FC Platinum, at the top of the table, to just one point following the win over Bosso.
Chihoro said there were no injury worries in the camp and the coaches will have to pick the best from their crop with midfielders Tawanda Muparati, Murape Murape, Milton Makopa, Denver Mukamba and Archford Gutu all vying for starting places.
Dynamos, who beat bitter rivals CAPS United 1-0 in the first round, will once again bank on the strikeforce of Rodrick Mutuma and Cuthbert Malajila for goals.
The gangly Mutuma struck a double against Bosso and received a standing ovation from 20 000 Dynamos fans when he was pulled out towards the end of the game on Sunday.
Malajila’s pace was key in the game against Bosso and Highlanders coach, Mkhupali Masuku, said the veteran striker gave his team a tough time on Sunday.
Writing in his weekly column in B-Metro, Masuku said Malajila made a big difference at Rufaro on Sunday.
Dynamos also have an impact player, Martin Vengesayi, who has turned himself into a super substitute, injecting pace and energy into the attack every time he comes in.
Shooting Stars were among the surprise packages for the quarterfinals after edging seeded team Hwange 1-0 in the first round.
Coach Tonderai Marume yesterday said they wanted to march all the way, despite “the big challenge” they face tomorrow.
“It’s a big challenge but it’s something to expect when playing in the Premiership.
“Playing Dynamos is enough motivation for the players because everyone wants to be noticed in such high profile games.
“The players cannot wait for the game. Everyone is psyched up and it is only important that we have to approach it with the right attitude,” said Marume.
Midfielder Eddie Mashiri, who was injured in their last game against Chicken Inn, has been declared fit and might play a part in the game.
Shooting Stars are making two changes to the squad that featured in the last 18 last week as they bring in midfielder Sam Gadzikwa and former Dynamos striker Esau Amisi to beef up their side.
Jostein Mathuthu, who was brought in as technical adviser, is a wily old fox and relishes the big occasion and, having led CAPS United to cup success in the past, he can do the same with the Wild Boys.
Fixtures
Today
FC Platinum v Gunners (Colliery), Zimbabwe Saints v Kiglon (Chishamiso)
Tomorrow
Motor Action v Blue Ribbon (Torwood), Dynamos v Shooting Stars (Maglas)
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter