Sports / Local
Dynamos v Highlanders chapter 2
21 Apr 2013 at 07:25hrs | Views
Dynamos and Highlanders renew their rivalry in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with a potentially epic duel at Rufaro this afternoon, their second in four days.
The everlasting adversaries are both in desperate need of not only the three points at stake this afternoon but also the bragging rights that come with posting a victory over one's fierce rival.
The hosts, chasing their third consecutive league title, have had a slow start to the current campaign in which they have already dropped a massive eight points from just four outings and find themselves back-pedalling to early pace-setters FC Platinum, which makes them eager to collect their first set of three points today.
Bosso, on the other hand, are still nursing the wounds of missing last year's title by the slimmest of margins - goal difference - and will be anxious to put paid to their arch-rivals' dominance, whom they last beat in a league match back in 2006 on their way to their last premiership title.
Thursday's slender one-nil loss, thanks to ageless Murape Murape's strike in the Uhuru Cup, left Kelvin Kaindu's charges wondering just what it will take to end DeMbare's seven-year dominance. Dynamos dominated proceedings for large parts of the game.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Sport in the capital yesterday, Kaindu was, however, confident that this might just be the time that Bosso gets it right.
"It's just a psychological problem and the failure to take chances that come our way that has seen us playing second fiddle to them.
"I admit they are a fairly good side, but their biggest weapon is that they have a strong mentality and can grind positive results even when they are not playing well.
"We have had the advantage of retaining the core of our team from last season and hopefully the cohesion among our players will bear fruits for us," said Kaindu.
Kalisto Pasuwa is, however, not looking much into history and reckons the key to a victory tomorrow starts with forgetting the three victories his charges have already posted over Bosso this year.
"If we go into the match with a mindset that we have beaten Highlanders several times in recent times, we might be forced to regret it. This is a new game in which we need to apply ourselves fully if we are to get a positive result.
"Going into the match on the back of a win over the same opponent, however, gives us a lot of hope.
"Playing Highlanders comes with a lot of pressure, but at Dynamos all games we play are generally pressure cookers in themselves.
"We know as a team we are expected to win this match and as a technical team we will talk to the boys, tell them what is expected of them in such games. It is our hope that they will take to the field with the right attitude that will make the difference for us," said the reigning Castle Lager Coach of the Year.
Pasuwa also took time to speak on the shenanigans that rocked the Glamour Boys in recent times, saying it was natural in times of difficulties.
"Whenever results go against us, all sorts of stories begin to crop up, but all we need as Dynamos is unity of purpose because united we conquer and achieve as a team, as well as individual goals," said Pasuwa after Friday's afternoon workout.
Pasuwa was by yesterday evening still sweating on the availability of striker Clive Kawinga (ankle), defender Byron Madzokere (back) and Young Warriors goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva, who is expected to deputise for Artwell Mukandi in the absence of George Chigova, who saw red against Triangle but has yet to secure a PSL licence.
Inspirational skipper Murape, who scored the solitary goal against Bosso, was also still struggling with a knock he sustained on Thursday and would be subjected to a late fitness test.
Bosso are also worrying over defenders Dumisani "Fazo" Ndlovu and Bruce Kangwa as well as midfielders Simon Munawa and Hillary Madzivanyika, who picked knocks in the Uhuru final but were, according to Kaindu, making "tremendous progress" ahead of the big game.
The Bosso faithful will pin their hopes for goals on Milton Ncube and bustling veteran forward Njabulo Ncube, who is back from a Botswana sojourn and already has two strikes to his name.
The duo is sure to have a tough time against Partson Jaure and Gift Bello, who will shield Mukandi in goal for DeMbare.
Kaindu's favoured midfield quartet is likely to comprise hardman Mthulisi Maphosa, stylish Zimbabwe international Peter Moyo, speedy winger Masimba Mambare and fast-improving teenager Knox Mutizwa.
They will duel with DeMbare's Devon Chafa, deputy skipper Tawanda Muparati and slick winger Cliff Sekete.
Reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Ariel Sibanda is likely to make way for Dynamos juniors product Munyaradzi Dhiya, who will be shielded by captain Innocent Mapuranga, Fazo and Kangwa in a bid to shut out Francesco Zekumbawire and Patrick Khumbula in attack for the hosts.
The everlasting adversaries are both in desperate need of not only the three points at stake this afternoon but also the bragging rights that come with posting a victory over one's fierce rival.
The hosts, chasing their third consecutive league title, have had a slow start to the current campaign in which they have already dropped a massive eight points from just four outings and find themselves back-pedalling to early pace-setters FC Platinum, which makes them eager to collect their first set of three points today.
Bosso, on the other hand, are still nursing the wounds of missing last year's title by the slimmest of margins - goal difference - and will be anxious to put paid to their arch-rivals' dominance, whom they last beat in a league match back in 2006 on their way to their last premiership title.
Thursday's slender one-nil loss, thanks to ageless Murape Murape's strike in the Uhuru Cup, left Kelvin Kaindu's charges wondering just what it will take to end DeMbare's seven-year dominance. Dynamos dominated proceedings for large parts of the game.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Sport in the capital yesterday, Kaindu was, however, confident that this might just be the time that Bosso gets it right.
"It's just a psychological problem and the failure to take chances that come our way that has seen us playing second fiddle to them.
"I admit they are a fairly good side, but their biggest weapon is that they have a strong mentality and can grind positive results even when they are not playing well.
"We have had the advantage of retaining the core of our team from last season and hopefully the cohesion among our players will bear fruits for us," said Kaindu.
Kalisto Pasuwa is, however, not looking much into history and reckons the key to a victory tomorrow starts with forgetting the three victories his charges have already posted over Bosso this year.
"If we go into the match with a mindset that we have beaten Highlanders several times in recent times, we might be forced to regret it. This is a new game in which we need to apply ourselves fully if we are to get a positive result.
"Going into the match on the back of a win over the same opponent, however, gives us a lot of hope.
"Playing Highlanders comes with a lot of pressure, but at Dynamos all games we play are generally pressure cookers in themselves.
"We know as a team we are expected to win this match and as a technical team we will talk to the boys, tell them what is expected of them in such games. It is our hope that they will take to the field with the right attitude that will make the difference for us," said the reigning Castle Lager Coach of the Year.
Pasuwa also took time to speak on the shenanigans that rocked the Glamour Boys in recent times, saying it was natural in times of difficulties.
"Whenever results go against us, all sorts of stories begin to crop up, but all we need as Dynamos is unity of purpose because united we conquer and achieve as a team, as well as individual goals," said Pasuwa after Friday's afternoon workout.
Pasuwa was by yesterday evening still sweating on the availability of striker Clive Kawinga (ankle), defender Byron Madzokere (back) and Young Warriors goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva, who is expected to deputise for Artwell Mukandi in the absence of George Chigova, who saw red against Triangle but has yet to secure a PSL licence.
Inspirational skipper Murape, who scored the solitary goal against Bosso, was also still struggling with a knock he sustained on Thursday and would be subjected to a late fitness test.
Bosso are also worrying over defenders Dumisani "Fazo" Ndlovu and Bruce Kangwa as well as midfielders Simon Munawa and Hillary Madzivanyika, who picked knocks in the Uhuru final but were, according to Kaindu, making "tremendous progress" ahead of the big game.
The Bosso faithful will pin their hopes for goals on Milton Ncube and bustling veteran forward Njabulo Ncube, who is back from a Botswana sojourn and already has two strikes to his name.
The duo is sure to have a tough time against Partson Jaure and Gift Bello, who will shield Mukandi in goal for DeMbare.
Kaindu's favoured midfield quartet is likely to comprise hardman Mthulisi Maphosa, stylish Zimbabwe international Peter Moyo, speedy winger Masimba Mambare and fast-improving teenager Knox Mutizwa.
They will duel with DeMbare's Devon Chafa, deputy skipper Tawanda Muparati and slick winger Cliff Sekete.
Reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Ariel Sibanda is likely to make way for Dynamos juniors product Munyaradzi Dhiya, who will be shielded by captain Innocent Mapuranga, Fazo and Kangwa in a bid to shut out Francesco Zekumbawire and Patrick Khumbula in attack for the hosts.
Source - SM
