Sports / Soccer
Mutuma under spotlight
12 May 2017 at 09:22hrs | Views
FORWARD Roderick Mutuma will be under spotlight again as Highlanders host Dynamos in a Premiership match at Barbourfields on Sunday.
The forward spent part of his career at Dynamos and CAPS before joining the Glamour Boys' biggest rivals this year.
The 29-year-old player was offloaded in a pre-season cleanout exercise targeting old horses along with other senior players Stephen Alimenda, Jacob Muzokomba and Sydney Linyama.
An intended move to Mozambique in January collapsed with Mutuma not satisfied with what was being offered by Ferraviaro da Beira.
With Highlanders head coach Erol Akbay keen on strengthening his strike force Mutuma, who scored only three goals last season, was signed.
The lanky forward was part of the DeMbare side that lost 2-0 at Rufaro before Bosso completed a double with 2-1 victory at Barbourfields.
Dynamos had, until then, maintained a 10-year dominance over Bosso and Mutasa was presiding over his third game after replacing Portuguese gaffer Paulo Jorge Silva.
However, the Dutch coach has backed Mutuma to thrive despite the pressure on his shoulders ahead of the clash.
"He's the sort of player who enjoys being in the spotlight a bit. Naturally, he will be under spotlight.
There are players like that. We are facing his former team and he can handle it. I know he can handle it," he said.
The last time Mutuma faced CAPS United, the striker failed to score in regulation time before missing a penalty in the Zimbabwe National Army Charity shied final at Barbourfields.
Mutuma has found the target once and his striking partner Prince Dube might miss the encounter due to injury.
Last year, Dube scored against DeMbare with a brace at Rufaro Stadium as Bosso registered their first league win over Dynamos since 2006.
Despite mounting pressure on Mutuma after the slow start, Akbay is optimistic that Mutuma will rediscover his form.
"It's tricky because strikers are judged by their goal-scoring form. However, it's also unfair to just paint everyone like that.
"Mutuma has been doing well, creating goals for others. I know he will come right.
He will score many goals. The most important thing for now is that he is performing well. For now, it's unfair to pile pressure on him," Akbay added.
Bosso are second on the log with 13 points, level with Ngezi Platinum who have superior goal difference.
The forward spent part of his career at Dynamos and CAPS before joining the Glamour Boys' biggest rivals this year.
The 29-year-old player was offloaded in a pre-season cleanout exercise targeting old horses along with other senior players Stephen Alimenda, Jacob Muzokomba and Sydney Linyama.
An intended move to Mozambique in January collapsed with Mutuma not satisfied with what was being offered by Ferraviaro da Beira.
With Highlanders head coach Erol Akbay keen on strengthening his strike force Mutuma, who scored only three goals last season, was signed.
The lanky forward was part of the DeMbare side that lost 2-0 at Rufaro before Bosso completed a double with 2-1 victory at Barbourfields.
Dynamos had, until then, maintained a 10-year dominance over Bosso and Mutasa was presiding over his third game after replacing Portuguese gaffer Paulo Jorge Silva.
However, the Dutch coach has backed Mutuma to thrive despite the pressure on his shoulders ahead of the clash.
"He's the sort of player who enjoys being in the spotlight a bit. Naturally, he will be under spotlight.
The last time Mutuma faced CAPS United, the striker failed to score in regulation time before missing a penalty in the Zimbabwe National Army Charity shied final at Barbourfields.
Mutuma has found the target once and his striking partner Prince Dube might miss the encounter due to injury.
Last year, Dube scored against DeMbare with a brace at Rufaro Stadium as Bosso registered their first league win over Dynamos since 2006.
Despite mounting pressure on Mutuma after the slow start, Akbay is optimistic that Mutuma will rediscover his form.
"It's tricky because strikers are judged by their goal-scoring form. However, it's also unfair to just paint everyone like that.
"Mutuma has been doing well, creating goals for others. I know he will come right.
He will score many goals. The most important thing for now is that he is performing well. For now, it's unfair to pile pressure on him," Akbay added.
Bosso are second on the log with 13 points, level with Ngezi Platinum who have superior goal difference.
Source - hmetro
