Dhlakama frets over fitness levels

By The Standard | May. 6, 2021

By Magreth Ruzvidzo WITH local topflight football set to resume next week, Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Rodwell Dhlakama has raised concern over potential injuries to players as clubs have not been afforded ample preparatory time following a long break induced by COVID-19 restrictions. He said the resumption has come too soon and believes that players […]

By Magreth Ruzvidzo

WITH local topflight football set to resume next week, Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Rodwell Dhlakama has raised concern over potential injuries to players as clubs have not been afforded ample preparatory time following a long break induced by COVID-19 restrictions.

He said the resumption has come too soon and believes that players are not yet ready for the rudimentary requirements of match situations.

“We are likely to suffer a lot, especially injuries when we resume games because players are coming from a long break where they were subjected to sedentary lives because of non-activity,” Dhlakama said

“Pre-season is seen as an opportunity for developing technical, tactical and physical properties of the team as competition is reduced to a few games over a period of four to six weeks. We are in our fifth week now and the sixth week is the competition period, so we wanted a longer phase of periodisation to work on those properties,” he added.

Premier football action is expected to kick-off mid-month in a phased approach, starting with a pre-season tournament.

“Football is now more scientific and our training is mostly player-centred and coach-driven,” Dhlakama said.

He also said that although they are looking to sign two or three players to beef up the squad, he has a relatively strong squad with a blend of young and experienced players.

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“Our target is to win every game we play and what that will take us to only God knows,” Dhlakama said.

Ngezi Platinum recently unveiled former Dynamos and Black Rhinos midfielder Marvelous Mukumba, as they target a successful 2021 campaign.

The mini-tournament will see teams being placed in four groups, with the first pool containing Dynamos, Caps United, Harare City, Herentals, Yadah and ZPC Kariba, which will be based in Harare.

The second group will feature Bulawayo Chiefs, Bulawayo City, Chicken Inn and Highlanders.

The Manica Diamonds and Tenax, Black Rhinos and Cranborne Bullets group will be based in Mutare while FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum Stars, Triangle United and WhaWha will be in Zvishavane.