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Richard Chihoro

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
GIANTS Dynamos are targeting a spectacular smash-and-grab mission at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon as they launch one final raid to try and win the 2017 Castle Lager Premiership title race. And, the country’s biggest football club believe God is on their side and it is their destiny to be crowned champions.

The match starts at 2pm. FC Platinum have 69 points and DeMbare have vowed to stalk them until the last minute with a tally of 67 points. Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro told The Herald they are still hopeful although they no longer have control of the race in their hands. DeMbare kept their fight alive with the two wins over Bulawayo City and Bantu Rovers in their last two matches in Bulawayo.

“At Dynamos, we always believe that it’s not over until the last minute and the last second is played. We promised a few months back that we will take the league to the wire and many did not believe us,’’ said Chihoro.

“But here we are today, we are still in it in the last game of the season. We believe in God and He has helped us in the past when we found ourselves in similar situations. It’s good we are playing at home and we expect our supporters to turn up in numbers. Although the destiny of the championship is no longer in our hands, we just have to play and win this match and not worry much with what is happening in the other match in Gweru.

“This is one of the most important games this season because winning it means a lot. So we have prepared well for this and I can confirm we have all our players available except for Carlos Rusere. Everyone wants to play and you can see by the competition at training that the boys believe it’s still possible. Morale is high in the camp.’’

DeMbare, who are the most successful team in Zimbabwe, are keen to return to the podium after the title had eluded them for the last two seasons when it went to Chicken Inn and CAPS United. They had won it four times in a row between 2011 and 2014. FC Platinum, who face Chapungu at Ascot this afternoon, are not only looking at setting new club records as the first side to be champions from outside Harare and Bulawayo since 1966.

The platinum miners have a two-point advantage at the top and could still be crowned champions even if they fail to win at Ascot this afternoon should Dynamos stumble against Chicken Inn at the National Sports Stadium. But Dynamos can still win it if they beat Chicken Inn in the event that FC Platinum either draw or lose.

Premier Soccer League spokesperson Kudzai Bare yesterday confirmed the league has made arrangements for the trophy presentations because of the uncertainty. Such drama involving Dynamos has happened before.

In 2013, the focus for the trophy presentation had to change from the National Sports Stadium where Harare City, who enjoyed a two-point cushion going into the final matches, were held to a 2-2 draw by CAPS United and DeMbare beat Black Mambas to snatch the title on goal dif- ference.

The situation repeated itself the following year with Dynamos again trailing ZPC Kariba by two points but the Kariba side lost 3-2 to CAPS United and DeMbare powered their way to the title with a 2-0 win over How Mine and the presentation had to take place at the National Sports Stadium in front of a paltry 4 000 supporters. Many of their fans had lost hope.

“Both venues will be ready to host the awards ceremony. Remember we are awarding the champions and the runner-ups. We have two trophies and they will be available at both stadiums. We also have two sets of medals that will be available at both stadiums as well. All the venues will be ready for trophy presentation of the champions. We will send our teams to both venues as was the case last year,” said Bare.

She also said both matches have been rescheduled to kick-off at 2pm while the other matches continue as scheduled.

“The Premier Soccer League is appealing all fans to stay off the field of play before, during and after football matches. Invading the field of play is not only a violation of the Premier Soccer League Rules and Regulations but it endangers the lives of players and match officials.

“The only people allowed on the field of play are the players, coaches and match officials. We urge all fans to co-operate with the security officers whose job is to maintain order and safety at the stadia,” she said.