Following last week’s stunning defeat to Buffaloes in Mutare, wounded Dynamos are eager to redeem themselves in a league clash with tricky side How Mine at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
Not only did the Buffaloes loss break a 20-match unbeaten run that had stretched from September 26 last year, it also upset their title defence march as they surrendered the second spot to Harare City, sliding to fourth position.
Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa had set a target of reaching mid season at second position, but the team is likely to miss that objective. Worrying for DeMbare, today’s opponents have performed a giant-killing act before when they beat Highlanders 2-1 on May 17, which was the day they last tasted victory.
Since then, How Mine have gone on a four-match winless run, although they are settled at a respectable seventh position.
With Pasuwa riding on a fair league record of just five defeats in 55 matches since he assumed the reigns in 2011, How Mine though pose a threat to add another negative statistic to Dynamos record.
Team manager Richard Chihoro is wary of How Mine.
“How Mine are a very good side and they have many veteran players. We are not taking them lightly,” said Chihoro.
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“But we will work hard to bounce back after our loss to Buffaloes. That game taught us that any team in the league is strong and that is why we are not underestimating How Mine. Yes we had targeted to be at number two by now, but we will not be worried if we fail to do that because at this point last season we were at a lower position.”
DeMbare will be missing injured chief striker Washington Pakamisa, their only player whose name appears among the top-goal scorers with seven goals.
Defender Partson Jaure is also out and did not train the whole week with a swollen shin but is expected to be back at training on Tuesday.
Goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi is struggling with his knee, while forward Franscisco Zekumbawire is still out with a hip problem and Byron Madzokere has an injured back.
“At least not many players are out injured like in the past where we would have more than half of the key players out. This time we have a few key players out but we play as a team and those available can deliver,” said Chihoro.
How Mine on the other hand have only Simon Njeleza out with a knee injury sustained during last Thursday’s match against Triangle. The gold miners have been taunted as a Highlanders B team, as they boast in their team of former Highlanders players.
Captain Hebert Dick, Gilbert Banda, Brighton Dube, Arnold Ndiweni, Nqobile Mpala and Menard Nupera are some of the players that have previously turned out for Bosso.
The league debutants coach Philani Mabhena is relishing the prospect of facing Dynamos for the first time.
“It is a priviledge and honour to play Dynamos in their own backyard before their passionate supporters. It is something we really want to experience. Dynamos are coming from a defeat and that makes it hard for us to beat them. Although we are the underdogs, it is possible to beat them,” said Mabhena.
Their chief striker Simba Sithole who has five goals to his name is likely to be a cause for concern to the Dynamos defence that has no Jaure.
