Wounded DeMbare seek redemption

By Eddie Chikamhi

DYNAMOS interim coach Lloyd Mutasa says he will not underrate Castle Lager Premiership football minnows Tsholotsho when the Harare giants go out in search of maximum points at Barbourfields this afternoon to ease the pressure from their supporters.

Tsholotsho will provide a tricky test as they have proved difficult customers to the Glamour Boys since gaining promotion last year with their two league meetings failing to produce a winner.

But Mutasa, who was given five matches by his bosses to plot the Glamour Boys’ revival following an early season crisis, wants a win to appease the club’s restless supporters. The former midfielder came short in his first game in charge against FC Platinum last week and argued that he had only trained his men for two days.

“In the PSL, we no longer have easy teams because we have seen teams getting results. When Tsholotsho came here last year they got a result against Dynamos,” said Mutasa. “I would like to believe that the last two league games between Dynamos and Tsholotsho all ended in draws and it’s an indication that Tsholotsho are a strong side as well.

“So we are bracing ourselves up for a tough encounter with the realisation of wanting to get a positive result that will give us a sense of belief as a family.”

DeMbare’s major undoing has been their strikeforce.

The Glamour Boys have scored only twice in six starts and both goals came in one match when they beat Mutare City 2-1 last month. Mutasa and his technical team have invested extra hours this week to improving their finishing.

Their options remain limited with the unavailability of injured Rodreck Mutuma and newboy Evans Gwekwerere who is still to get full fitness. The responsibility is likely to be given to rookie Kudzanayi Nyakasaka, Richard Kawondera and Farai Mupasiri who looked sharp at training.

Midfielder Dominic Mukandi will also miss the tie as he has been suspended after picking three yellow cards. Mutasa is not likely to make many changes to the team that lost 0-1 to FC Platinum last week.

Dynamos are currently in big trouble after managing a paltry five points from the first six matches. They are second from the bottom of the table and last week they were at the end of the wrath of their supporters.

But they should not expect an easy afternoon. Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe said his charges were ready for a big battle.

They have experienced players like Joel Lupahla and Dylan Chivandire in their ranks and are coming from a morale-boosting 1-0 away win over Harare City at Rufaro. Sweswe’s men have seven points, two better than Dynamos who sit second from the bottom with five points.

He said they will not be fooled by the results from the previous meetings with the Harare giants.

“We don’t base on history. This is a new game, a new fixture and we look forward to a new challenge. Of course, there is pressure, but the most important thing is to apply ourselves and try as much as we can to play for maximum points.

“I think every team is desperate for maximum points. It’s not Dynamos alone who want points,” said Sweswe. Tsholotsho are likely to enjoy the backing of Highlanders supporters, whose team will be away at Harare City. DeMbare, however, command a big fan base in Bulawayo and are likely to draw a bigger crowd.

“If you look at it, we have always played our games away from home because we are supposed to be based in Tsholotsho, but our home ground is not complete yet.

“So every game we play is an away game.

“It’s a matter of telling our boys to adapt to the situation. But football these days has changed, whether you play home or away it really doesn’t matter. What matters most is how you prepare,” said Sweswe.

The coach was at Rufaro on Sunday on a spying mission. The Herald