Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
DYNAMOS coach Kelvin Kaindu has described their Castle Lager Premiership duel against Yadah Stars at Ngoni tomorrow as a must-win as his side seek to move off the awkward position they are occupying on the log standings.
The two relegation-haunted clubs face off just weeks after they met at the same venue in the Chibuku Super Cup first round tie with Dynamos winning that encounter 4-3 on penalties.
DeMbare also won the reverse league fixture 1-0 at Rufaro, earlier in the season.
But both clubs have since put behind events of those games.
They have since shifted their attention to the battle for survival where they are fighting for their dear lives in the top-flight.
Despite putting up a brave face and remaining composed, Kaindu is aware of the mammoth task that his side have at hand.
“This game is very important to us; it will not be an easy one but we are going all out because we really need the points,” he said.
“We are playing Yadah who are also in a similar position like us, trying to avoid relegation and these are games that probably every team wants to collect maximum points hence there is no room for complacency or mistakes.”
Coming into this encounter, Dynamos are on position 13 on the log table having accumulated 27 points in 32 games.
Yadah are just a position above the basement placed and already relegated Kwekwe United with 34 points.
Kwekwe United are tied with Triangle who, however, enjoys a superior goal difference.
But, crucially, the pair are deep in the relegation matrix which has at least nine teams’ survival in topflight hanging by a thread.
Both teams desperately need to collect maximum points.
A win for Dynamos propels them further up the ladder, to safety, increasing their survival prospects with a game to spare.
Conversely, a defeat places them under pressure, needing an outright win against F.C Platinum in their last game of the season.
Should Yadah fail to beat the Harare giants, their position will be rendered even more precarious provided Triangle and GreenFuel pick wins.
A draw will not be entirely bad for both sides, as they will continue to entertain hopes of survival, albeit banking on the final league games’ results.
Kaindu knows the task will not be easy but remains adamant that his charges will prevail.
“In the past games, we have been getting important goals, also showing a lot of character so we have come to realise that sometimes we may not play well but we need to have a strong character to collect maximum points,” said Kaindu.
“We have come a long way, you can see even the points difference from other teams, catching up alone was just massive for us and now we need to remain composed so that we do not lose it when it really matters.
“This game has a lot of psychological and mental elements so we have to be able to come to the party and stay in the game to survive relegation.”
Since Kaindu’s arrival at Dynamos, the Harare giants have not lost a game in the nine Premiership fixtures he has taken charge of.
One of the crucial figures in his relegation fight is captain Emmanuel Jalai.
The diminutive right back, who also plays the same position on the national team, has also scored important goals for Dynamos in their last two league games (1-0 Bikita and 1-1 Highlanders).
However, tomorrow Kaindu will miss the services of his man who is serving suspension for accumulating yellow cards.
“We have the full complement of our squad save for the captain who is out serving suspension. It is unfortunate that he is suspended at a time when he had just picked up his game and is in very fine form,” said Kaindu.
“He gave us the important goals in the last two games so in such games, you do not want to lose your captain like this especially considering that he has been instrumental even in the fixtures that he did not score.
“Despite being a right back, he has the ability to go forward, adding numbers to give us depth going forward.
“It is unfortunate that he will not be here but I think it also gives opportunities for others to prove themselves.”
