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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS are oozing with confidence ahead of their battle against newboys Bulawayo City in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Barbourfields this afternoon. The former champions have won their last three matches.

Their opponents, on the other hand, have been experiencing a slump after suffering back-to-back defeats in their last two matches.

Bulawayo City had made a promising start in their debut year in the Premiership, but they have been derailed by losses to Harare City and CAPS United.

The host’s coach, Philani Ncube, has made it clear he will be looking to bounce back to winning ways at home.

However, DeMbare assistant coach Murape Murape said they are more at home in Bulawayo than Bulawayo City and sounded bullish ahead of the tie.

Murape said Dynamos are looking to build on the momentum following the successive wins over Chapungu, Ngezi Platinum and Harare City, which have seen them soaring from the bottom half of the table into the top five.

“We are just looking forward to collect maximum points in Bulawayo, it’s our second home. Mostly when we play at Barbourfields we always have good games and we have a good crowd there.

“The fans are very supportive of the team and hopefully that can help motivate us get the positive results we want because we are looking to continuing with our good run.

“We want to get three points again so that we may stay in touch with the top teams.

“We aim to win all our games probably up to the halfway stage of the season and then see where we will be and what the top teams will be doing,” said Murape.

With 17 points in the bag from 11 games, they are still a long way off the pace as they trail leaders Highlanders by nine points. But Dynamos have been rising steadily following the bold decision by the technical team to throw some of their rookies into the deep end.

Last week their forward line comprised of three Under-20 players Kudzanai Nyakasaka, King Nasama and Musa Madhiri and to their delight they won the match against Harare City 2-0.

Murape hinted they will continue with the trend after axing five experienced players during the week, among them strikers Richard Kawondera, Farai Mupasiri and Evans Gwekwerere.

Midfielder Walter Mukanga and Jimmy Dzingai were also released.

DeMbare started the season poorly managing a paltry five points from five games before deciding to part ways with Portuguese mentor Jorge Paulo Silva.

Lloyd Mutasa has since been installed on interim basis, winning four games and losing two in the last six assignments that he has been in charge.

“We have won our last three games in succession, yes it’s well done to us, but that’s not the end of it. We still have many games to play up to December.

“We are taking each game as it comes, but what I know is that when Dynamos starts coming the other teams begin to buckle under pressure. The more we win the more pressure we put on those top teams. So that’s what we are doing.

“As we go results hopefully will improve and the players that are coming in as well will help us get the desired results so that come the end of the season, maybe we can be the champions because we are always working to be number one,” said Murape.

Bulawayo City are looking to bounce back from back to back defeats in their last two matches.

Their coach Philani Ncube was cautious.

“Obviously Dynamos are a big team and we respect them, but we’re ready for the game. They’re enjoying a fine run and psychologically they’re strong, which means they’re feeling some pressure because they don’t want to lose.

“If we don’t concede an early goal, I believe they’ll feel the pressure and who knows, we might be able to get them if we get our tactics right. How we do our transitions from defence to attack or vice-versa will be key for us,” he said.

Bulawayo City may be new to the league, but they have experienced players in their ranks who include former Highlanders marksman Mkhokheli Dube, Mthulisi Maphosa, ex-Chicken Inn striker Thomas Chimenya, Nyasha Mukumbi, Morris Kadzola, Proud Zireni and former Young Warriors midfielder Welcome Ndiweni.

Fixtures

Today: ZPC Kariba v Chapungu (Nyamhunga), Bulawayo City v Dynamos (Barbourfields), How Mine v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Luveve)

Sunday: Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Border Strikers v Harare City (Dulivhadzimu), Triangle United v Tsholotsho (Gibbo), Mutare City Rovers v FC Platinum (Sakubva) CAPS United v Hwange (Rufaro)