The pressure of a four-match winless run is simmering in the Dynamos camp, with coach Kalisto Pasuwa opting to go about his business behind closed doors.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
Often open with the media, Pasuwa returned from their doomed Zvishavane trip coiled in his own shell avoiding any attention.
Dynamos succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to FC Platinum last Wednesday, to surrender their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League lead to rivals Highlanders.
Also worsening the situation was the Mbada Diamonds Cup catastrophe three days earlier in which they were struck out by little How Mine in a quarter-final shocker at Rufaro.
Another defeat to Hwange at the Colliery followed by a goalless draw with Monomotapa sums up Pasuwa’s lonely figure as he conducted Dynamos’ training session behind closed doors after the Mandava disaster. Now lowly-placed and troubled Tripple B are in Harare on a mission to upset the defending champions this afternoon.
“We are confident of beating Dynamos,” said Tripple B coach Peter Manoti yesterday.
“We lost to Highlanders because our team was injury-hit, but most of the players have now recovered.”
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Tripple B’s ambition to conquer in the Rufaro cauldron is underlined by recalling striker Aleck Marime, who had been suspended for the Highlanders game, following a nasty fist fight with assistant coaches Hillary Makuruva and Charles Joe last weekend.
Dynamos enter the battle with an injury-free squad, leaving Pasuwa with no excuse for failure today.
Team manager Richard Chihoro has expressed the dire need for a comeback and revive their title defence hopes.
“Teams like Tripple B are dangerous but I do not think they can prevail over us. Having gone for four games without winning, we have to lift ourselves up and get back to winning to ease off the pressure,” said Chihoro.
Although their hopes of reclaiming the lead are dependent on Highlanders faltering, Dynamos also face tricky remaining fixtures, especially away to Chicken Inn and Highlanders. With the league race now mid-way into the crucial home stretch, leaders Highlanders enjoy a two-point lead with 44 points.
Fighting to preserve their lead, Kelvin Kaindu’s charges face a possible upset with a trip to Rimuka fortress, where Black Rhinos are yet to lose a match or concede in six games.
“That does not matter because this is a new game. I believe the better team will win,” said Kaindu.
“We are looking at getting three points and remaining on top. It is possible to stay on top until the end if we stay focussed.”
Only injured forward Gabriel Nyoni is not part of Kaindu’s Rimuka mission.
