Dynamos & Caps United in Tricky Ties

By Petros Kausiyo

DYNAMOS coach Elvis “Chuchu’’ Chiweshe is bracing for yet another tough afternoon in the office when his troops face the tricky hurdle presented by Kiglon in a CBZ Premiership tie at Rufaro tomorrow that the Glamour Boys simply have to win.

Across town at Gwanzura tomorrow, Moses Chunga and his Gunners take on champions Monomotapa in another tough game that they need to win to keep alive their hopes of landing the league title.

In-form CAPS United make the long trip to Bulawayo for a date against Bantu Rovers, hoping to win this tie, and praying that both Dynamos and Gunners drop points for them to squeeze into the championship picture.

All eyes, though, will be at Rufaro — as is usually the case when DeMbare are in town.

Kiglon, bidding to secure a top-eight finish, have shown little respect for Dynamos in the countdown to this weekend’s showdown between the two sides.

The Chitungwiza outfit has for much of this season charmed many neutrals with their brilliant passing game.

On Thursday Kiglon, through club chief executive Thompson Dondo, made it clear that they would not be intimidated by DeMbare’s profile in the domestic game.

Chiweshe, while revealing that he was bracing for a tough game from Kiglon, said it was imperative that his players and DeMbare’s demanding supporters understand that the Harare giants “will never have an easy game’’.

“I can’t remember the last time that Dynamos had an easy game, whether it was a friendly or competitive match, but we have been taking each match as it comes,” said Chuchu.

“Every remaining game that we have now is like a cup final because, for any team to be popular or for any coach to be popular, he has to beat Dynamos.

“But when we win it is not much of a popular result . . . it is something that is expected of us.

“So because of that I am expecting Kiglon to make life very difficult for us but I am not intimidated by their threats to beat Dynamos this week.

“I am expecting them to raise their game just like what all the other teams do against Dynamos. Kiglon play a good passing game but normally I don’t focus much on other teams’ strategies and I worry more about the end product of my team’s work.”

Chiweshe, sensing an opportunity of winning his first league title as coach, also pointed to their crucial 1-0 victory over Highlanders at Barbourfields last Sunday as a significant result in the final run in of the championship race.

Midfielder Milton Makopa was the toast of that victory over Bosso — firing home what proved the winner after just 14 minutes.

Stocky goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura also played a blinder between the posts and looks set to repel anything that Mudiwa “Mode’’ Mususa, Marlon Tarusarira, Isaac Pitamuja and company are likely to throw at him.

Chiweshe believes their win over Bosso had come “at the right time to help boost the confidence in the players’’.

“It must be remembered that we had taken a break during the Cosafa tournament so when we went to Bulawayo we were under immense pressure and we could not afford to slip-up,” said Chuchu.

“But after the victory I can see that the guys are high on confidence and are even more determined to finish the job and win the championship.

“Some of my players have tasted what it means to play in Africa and the whole team is looking forward to playing in the Champions League again,’’ Chiweshe said.

As was the case ahead of their trip to Barbourfields, the Dynamos camp continued to be rocked by boardroom problems that have literally plunged the Harare giants into a leadership crisis.

Chiweshe and his men were, during the week, locked out of their training ground at Prince Edward School for non-payment of ground rentals.

But the DeMbare coach insisted that his players had remained focussed on their mission and would continue to avoid being dragged into the squabbles.

“When we did not have a ground to train on we went to Thompson Matenda’s (club fitness trainer) gym and had a workout there so we didn’t lose much training time,” said Chiweshe.

“Yesterday and today we have been working out at Rufaro and I am happy that everything has been going on well so we should keep the same side that went to Bulawayo.”

With just one point separating them from second-placed Gunners and resurgent CAPS United having reduced the gap between them and Chiweshe’s men to five points, Dynamos know that not even a draw against Kiglon will be enough.

Gunners are back at their favourite hunting ground — Gwanzura — tomorrow for a tough date against champions Monomotapa.

Moses Chunga’s men struggled to find their rhythm at the same venue last Sunday but were still good enough to secure a vital 1-0 win over Highway.

But with Monoz closer to the relegation puzzle than a safe place among the top clubs, Gunners know they would have to quickly find their feet against tougher opponents.

Gunners’ cause could, however, be helped by the fact that Monoz will be without three key players — talented winger Chris Semakweri, Daniel Zokoto and hardworking skipper Mthulisi Maphosa — who are expected to leave Harare this weekend to officially join their new club, TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Monoz treasurer Bhekithemba “Far’’ Ndlovu revealed that the trio was expected to fly out to Lumbumbashi tomorrow morning to join newly crowned African champions Mazembe.

But Chunga is under no illusions about the tough task that awaits his charges against the outgoing champions.

“I think for us it is a must win against Monomotapa. But at this stage of the season every game has become a championship match so it is not gong to be easy.

“In life it is tough to survive but we always find means to survive and it should be the case when we play Monomotapa, we should find ways of surviving,’’ Chunga said.

Chunga and the small Gunners family will also be hoping that chief striker Norman Maroto regains his scoring form while Trymore Mtisi and his rearguard hold fort to with stand the Monoz challenge.

CAPS United will take their bid to sneak in and snatch the championship to Barbourfields against a Bantu Rovers side that is not yet completely out of the woods.

Elsewhere tomorrow Eagles, still smarting from their 4-0 humiliation by Highway, make the long trip to Hwange with their coach Stephen Matinha under pressure to ensure the newboys do not slide into the relegation zone.

Draw specialists Motor Action, who finally found a way to win with a 1-0 triumph over Njube Sundowns, will be at home again today when they receive Highway.

Out of form Bulawayo giants Highlanders will arrive in Beitbridge for a date against Underhill, who have not lost at Dulibadzimu since being controversially granted permission by the Premier Soccer League to use to their home ground in the second half of the season.

Fixtures and Referees:

Today: Motor Action v Highway (Motor Action Sports Club) Ref: Burzil Makoni, 1st assistant: Alfred Zindove, 2nd assistant Ruzive Ruzive, 4th official: Stella Ruvinga.

Njube Sundowns v Lengthens (Pelandaba) Ref: Nkosana Nduna; 1st assistant: Brighton Malandule; 2nd assistant: Tiwone kachehe; 4th official: Saneliso Sibanda.

Underhill v Highlanders (Dulibadzimu) Ref: Makonese Masakadza; 1st assistant: Cosmas Gombwe; and assistant: Denis Maphosa; 4th official: Anthony Njaya.

Tomorrow: Hwange v Eagles (Colliery) Ref: Thabani Mkantjo; 1st assistant: Mike Mpofu; 2nd assistant: Abraham Manda; 4th official: Bekezela Makeka.

Kiglon v Dynamos (Rufaro) Ref: Ruzive Ruzive; 1st assistant: Oswald Mukucha; 2nd assistant: Tapfumanei Mtengwa; 4th officials: Tichaona Masimbe.

Monomotapa v Gunners (Gwanzura) Ref: Jacob Kuuya; 1st assistant Notai Murindagomo; Shelton Mushanguri; 4th official: Joshua Tigere.

Bantu Rovrs v CAPS United (Barbourfields) Ref: Sungano Makwangudze; 1st assistant: David Ngwenya; 2nd assistant: Musiiwa Bayana; 4th official: Albert Mbuse. Source: The Herald

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