FOLLOWING a tragic week for the Dynamos family in which eight fans perished in a road traffic accident in Kadoma last week, the club has pledged to win all their remaining league matches as a tribute to the departed supporters, beginning with the tie against debutants Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro today.
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE/TAWANDA TADERERA
Seven DeMbare supporters died on the spot while another one succumbed to the injuries the following day when an Iveco bus they were travelling in burst a rear tyre and veered off the road near Battle Fields.
They were on their way to cheer on the team which had a league date with Chapungu at Ascot Stadium.
The Glamour Boys have had a turbulent start to the league season and are languishing in ninth position, having amassed 11 points from nine matches so far. Former captain Murape Murape, who recently bounced back as assistant coach, said the club would not guarantee winning the championship, but the target was to win all the remaining matches.
“Our target is to win all our games and dedicate them to our departed fans and those who got injured so they can find solace in those victories. It’s going to be difficult, but it’s just how we are going to respond to the false start that we had at the beginning that will be very important,” he told Standardsport.
Murape Murape added; “It has been a difficult week for Dynamos losing our fans who are our family and also our friends. These guys died with a desire to see the team succeed, just to support the team in difficult times and that should motivate us.”
“If they lost their lives just to watch us play, how much more are we [the team)]supposed to be ready to put our lives on the line to ensure that the team wins? We have to fulfil their wish, which demands that we work in the field of play so that their wishes are not in vain,” he said.
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Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa’s men will be looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this season. They have so far failed to win at Rufaro Stadium, let alone score a single goal at home to date.
Adding more interest to today’s fixture is the fact that Ngezi have engaged former Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya. He will not be by the visitors’ side today as he officially begins work tomorrow, but his inside knowledge of the hosts could prove invaluable.
Meanwhile, high-riding Harare giants CAPS United, who have thus far presented themselves as perfect candidates for the league title, showed signs of stress for the first time.
First they dropped two points, which could have propelled them to the summit of the log standings following a drab draw at home to David Mandigora’s Triangle last weekend.
Then the players downed tools and boycotted training over unpaid dues the following day in an impasse that was only resolved a couple of days ago.
However, Makepekepe have vowed to put the turbulence behind them and collect maximum points when they take on Mutare City at Sakubva this afternoon.
“Only two days away from training does not necessarily affect the condition of the team physically, technically and tactically. I’m sure the players are all aware of their responsibility and function on the pitch so we haven’t lost anything,” coach Lloyd Chitembwe said during a press conference.
CAPS occupy second place going into week 10’s fixture and a win in Mutare should propel them to the top of the log since the log leaders FC Platinum’s fixture against reigning champions Chicken Inn was postponed.
Highlanders, who are on a six-match unbeaten run since the week two’s defeat to FC Platinum in April, will also be eager to maintain their solid start when they take on How Mine at Barbourfields.
Today’s Fixtures: Dynamos v Ngezi Platinum (Rufaro), How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Border Strikers v Chapungu (Dulibadzimu), Triangle United v Hwange (Gibbo), Mutare City v CAPS United (Sakubva)
