DeMbare ready to roll past Zim Saints

By Augustine Hwata

Dynamos have been on a roll in the last three games under Callisto Pasuwa and they could even be stronger tomorrow with striker Peter Ngwenya being included in the squad set to face Zimbabwe Saints in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Rufaro.

Ngwenya was recruited by former coach Lloyd Mutasa but has remained a mystery to the DeMbare fans who have been waiting for him to plunge into action. They could get a chance to see the striker, who was based in Namibia, in action tomorrow.

But it would be a big gamble to throw Ngwenya into the starting XI but the former Lengthens player, who had been working hard at training, could fancy his chances of a debut in a cameo role.

Dynamos have won their last three games – beating Shooting Stars 4-1, Masvingo United 2-0 and Gunners 3-1 with Cuthbert Malajila and Roderick Mutuma leading the attack.

During the explosive match against Gunners at Lafarge, Dynamos were missing defensive linkman Milton Makopa and attacking midfielder Tawanda Muparati through suspension. But the two are now available.

Assistant coach Tonderayi Ndiraya said the two-week break has helped most of their players, who had light knocks, to recover. “We have won our last three games and we are just hoping to continue with the winning form.

“I am aware that Dynamos lost 1-0 in the reverse fixture but this is a new game and judging from the last outing, we should be hopeful. We lost when playing away but this time we are playing at home and it will work in our favour,” said Ndiraya.

He believes his charges did not lose their rhythm during the break. “All the teams had taken a break but we are now motivated to win the last games,” said Ndiraya. Ndiraya revealed that Ngwenya has finally worked his way into the team. We have not made a decision yet on the starting 11 but we named a final 18 that includes Peter Ngwenya.

“Others like Makopa and Muparati are also back, which is a boost,” said Ndiraya. Dynamos also have Sweden-bound Archie Gutu at their disposal. Gutu will join Kalmar FF at the end of the season after signing a three-year contract and Ndiraya says the midfielder’s breakthrough into Europe will inspire a lot of players at the club.

“It’s a blow to our side to be losing a player of the calibre of Gutu. Who surely does not want such a good player but on the other hand we are happy that as Dynamos we have produced a good player.

“I think his move will be an encouragement for other players who can also break into Europe and continue to boost Dynamos’ profile,” said Ndiraya. Gutu’s best friend, Denver Mukamba, has been outstanding in midfield and has discovered the touch that made him a favourite with the DeMbare fans at the beginning of the season.

Mukamba scored twice in the 3-1 win over Gunners. In the reverse fixture at Barbourfields, Abraham Mbaiwa’s solo effort gave Chikwata the win and Saints skipper Munyaradzi Diya believes the result has put pressure on Dynamos.

“If anything we are the underdogs in the game. We won in the first game but now pressure is for them to win and moreso they are playing at home. So we just take this like any other game but I know that our guys will raise their game because we are playing Dynamos,” said Diya.

Diya, the Zimbabwe Saints goalkeeper, will be squaring off against his brother Tichaona who is an assistant coach at Dynamos. A former Dynamos goalkeeper, Diya believes he has now matured in his game and playing against his former team-mates will provide the platform for him to make a point.

“I have settled down well at Saints but now I have more responsibilities.

“Being the goalkeeper means that I have to command my area and at the same time lead the team as captain,” he said. Saints lost Phillip Sithole, Leo Kurauzvione and Tafadzwa Maingire during the mid-season but the side has recruited well.

Chikwata started the season with Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo and Agent Sawu as coaches but the two have since left with Saints legend Ephraim Chawanda now in charge. Saints have Mbaiwa, Evans Rusike, Itai Muganiwa, Marcos Ncube and Kelvin Sibanda who can make a difference.

Motor Action will be out to consolidate their position at the top with a win over Chicken Inn at Callies. It will be homing coming show for Shabanie Mine coach Luke Masomere when his team take on Masvingo at Mucheke.

Fixtures

Saturday: Monoz v Gunners (Rufaro), Kiglon v Shooting Stars (Gwanzura), Motor Action v Chicken Inn (Motor Action Sports Club), FC Platinum v CAPS (Mandava)

Sunday: Masvingo v Shabanie (Mucheke), Hwange v Black Mambas (Colliery), Dynamos v Zim Saints (Rufaro), Highlanders v Blue Ribbon (BF)