Sports / Soccer
Dembare wary of Border Strikers
08 Jul 2016 at 01:48hrs | Views
DYNAMOS team manager Richard Chihoro says they have emphasised to their players the need to guard against complacency when they face bottom-of-the-table side Border Strikers at Rufaro this Sunday.
The Harare giants, who have recovered from a poor start this season, are coming from a brilliant run of four wins in succession.
The victories over Chapungu, Ngezi Platinum Stars, Harare City and Bulawayo City have brought a new sense of belief in the Glamour Boys camp who are now eagerly anticipating a fifth win on the trot to cap their comeback.
However, Chihoro yesterday said they will not be fooled to believe that Border Strikers, despite their poor run of 10 defeats in 12 starts, will be sitting ducks on Sunday.
DeMbare yesterday intensified their preparations with a friendly match against Division One side Herentals which ended 1-1.
"I think we have had a good preparation.
"This week we started training on Monday and I am sure everyone knows what to expect and what to do in our next match.
"We have talked at length about this. We don't have to underrate Border Strikers just because they are sitting at the bottom of the table. It's too risky to do that because if you look at such a club, they don't have anything to lose which makes them potential part spoilers.
"We have been winning our previous games and we need to continue with that form. So the same shift that we put when playing against Highlanders, CAPS United or FC Platinum is the same that we should put in this game.
"It's an equally important game with three points at stake, just like any other game. So we have to be serious about it," said Chihoro.
Border Strikers recorded their second win of the season last week when they beat Harare City at Dulivhadzimu.
They are looking to have all their players up for selection as they have no injury worries in their camp.
DeMbare are set to start life without their former captain Augustine Mbara who has moved to join recently promoted South Africa Premiership side Highlands Park.
The coaches are still hoping to give midfielder Denver Mukamba his first start in DeMbare colours on his return from South Africa, but they had to keep their fingers crossed as the club had not received his reverse clearance yesterday.
Dynamos have risen to fifth on the log standings with 20 points from 12 starts.
Coach Lloyd Mutasa and his assistant Murape Murape have been mixing youth and experience with rookies like King Nasama, Musa Madhiri, Kudzanayi Nyakasaka also getting places in the team.
"Our selection criteria is simple, if you work hard and prove yourself at training the chances of being in the team are high.
"It's based purely on merit. We are not looking at names. We want people with the hunger to win," said Chihoro.
Fixtures
Saturday: Platinum v CAPS United (Mandava), Tsholotsho v Mutare City Rovers (White City), Chapungu v Chicken Inn (Ascot), Harare City v How Mine (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum Stars v ZPC Kariba (Baobab),
Sunday: Hwange v Bulawayo City (Colliery), Highlanders v Triangle United (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Border Strikers (Rufaro)
The Harare giants, who have recovered from a poor start this season, are coming from a brilliant run of four wins in succession.
The victories over Chapungu, Ngezi Platinum Stars, Harare City and Bulawayo City have brought a new sense of belief in the Glamour Boys camp who are now eagerly anticipating a fifth win on the trot to cap their comeback.
However, Chihoro yesterday said they will not be fooled to believe that Border Strikers, despite their poor run of 10 defeats in 12 starts, will be sitting ducks on Sunday.
DeMbare yesterday intensified their preparations with a friendly match against Division One side Herentals which ended 1-1.
"I think we have had a good preparation.
"This week we started training on Monday and I am sure everyone knows what to expect and what to do in our next match.
"We have talked at length about this. We don't have to underrate Border Strikers just because they are sitting at the bottom of the table. It's too risky to do that because if you look at such a club, they don't have anything to lose which makes them potential part spoilers.
"We have been winning our previous games and we need to continue with that form. So the same shift that we put when playing against Highlanders, CAPS United or FC Platinum is the same that we should put in this game.
"It's an equally important game with three points at stake, just like any other game. So we have to be serious about it," said Chihoro.
Border Strikers recorded their second win of the season last week when they beat Harare City at Dulivhadzimu.
They are looking to have all their players up for selection as they have no injury worries in their camp.
DeMbare are set to start life without their former captain Augustine Mbara who has moved to join recently promoted South Africa Premiership side Highlands Park.
The coaches are still hoping to give midfielder Denver Mukamba his first start in DeMbare colours on his return from South Africa, but they had to keep their fingers crossed as the club had not received his reverse clearance yesterday.
Dynamos have risen to fifth on the log standings with 20 points from 12 starts.
Coach Lloyd Mutasa and his assistant Murape Murape have been mixing youth and experience with rookies like King Nasama, Musa Madhiri, Kudzanayi Nyakasaka also getting places in the team.
"Our selection criteria is simple, if you work hard and prove yourself at training the chances of being in the team are high.
"It's based purely on merit. We are not looking at names. We want people with the hunger to win," said Chihoro.
Fixtures
Saturday: Platinum v CAPS United (Mandava), Tsholotsho v Mutare City Rovers (White City), Chapungu v Chicken Inn (Ascot), Harare City v How Mine (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum Stars v ZPC Kariba (Baobab),
Sunday: Hwange v Bulawayo City (Colliery), Highlanders v Triangle United (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Border Strikers (Rufaro)
Source - the herald
