'Beating Dynamos starts in the head'

TONDERAI NDIRAYA knows the Dynamos system like the palm of his hand, and says when facing the Glamour Boys the game is won or lost in the mind. "Dynamos are Dynamos, they are comfortable playing anywhere in Zimbabwe and they have the experience. If you are overwhelmed by the huge atmosphere that their supporters always bring to remote venues, you are gone, they will trample on you," said the Ngezi Platinum gaffer.

DeMbare make the short trip to Baobab Stadium this afternoon seeking a second win on the bounce after last weekend's 2-1 triumph over Harare City. On the flip side, the hosts have lost two in a row and Ndiraya reckons mental strength will be crucial when his Premiership debutants host one of the league's big boys.

"It is the way we are going to handle the pressure that will be crucial. We have been trying as much as possible to work on the mental side of the players. We are conditioning them on how to handle this pressure and hopefully they will be ready," he said.

What could be a boon for Ndiraya is that he has six players who have played for DeMbare before. The majority of these might be bitter at the way they were discarded by the Harare giants and their experience could come in handy.

Partson Jaure, Washington Pakamisa, Tichaona Mabvura, Kelvin Bulaji, Walter Mukanga and Zivanai Mhanda are all former Dynamos players. "These players have the experience and they are eager to prove a point. They have been fighting hard to earn a first team jersey and I like the spirit.

"Jaure is a topnotch defender and he has started fitting well into the side, he is also itching to play against his former side," said Ndiraya.

DeMbare won the reverse leg 2-0 at Rufaro.