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Lloyd Mutasa

Eddie Chikamhi and Paul Mundandi
Lloyd “Samaita” Mutasa has warned Dynamos to brace for a tough afternoon as his FC Platinum side returns to Harare “hungry” for points to bring stability to a faltering campaign in the Premiership race. Dynamos will meet FC Platinum for the third time since Mutasa took over. Team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday said DeMbare needed something positive to turn around their fortunes after going for four competitive games without a win.

The platinum miners have a psychological edge over the champions.
Last month, FC Platinum staged a dramatic comeback to beat Dynamos in the final of the Independence Cup at the National Sports Stadium to ease pressure on Mutasa.

FC Platinum, though, have not been impressive in the league race after winning only two games in seven league starts.
“We are hungry for victory than them. We are coming from a defeat and they managed a draw against Shabanie,” said Mutasa, who is still to lose a match against his old side.

Mutasa was the first coach to lead FC Platinum to victory over Dynamos when his charges romped to a 2-0 victory at Mandava courtesy of goals from Elvis Moyo and Charles Sibanda.

“The match on Wednesday will be strongly contested as both teams need points. It’s high time we should show our mettle by beating them in their backyard and move closer to the leading pack since we have the arsenal to take us through.

“We are ready psychologically and we want to make it three in a row. Pasuwa (Callisto) has been in this position before and he knows how to handle the scenario,” said Mutasa.

Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa is under pressure to deliver but his main worry is his misfiring strikeforce as his team has not scored a goal in their last four outings, including the ZNA Charities match.

DeMbare have managed only one point in their last three league assignments.
Pasuwa returned home yesterday from national team duty following their trip to Tanzania where they fell 1-0 to the hosts in the Africa Cup of Nations first round, first leg qualifier.

His assistant Philemon Mutyakureva, Tichaona Diya and Chihoro were in charge of the team on Sunday when they lost to rivals CAPS United for the first time in five years.

However, Chihoro yesterday refused to drop their heads in shame.
“There is still a long season ahead of us. We don’t want to disturb our campaign by losing our focus.

“At least, our players now know that every team loses at some point. We are going through a bad phase and we realise that we need to work harder going forward.

“We are hoping to get back on our feet at the earliest possible time and, hopefully, we will collect maximum points in our next game.
“We know FC Platinum and that they are not a small team. They beat us in the final of the Independence Cup recently, so we have to be strong,” said Chihoro.

Dynamos are today set to welcome their national team players — Partson Jaure, George Chigova and Stephen Alimenda — at their training session.
Alimenda has been praised by Warriors coach Ian Gorowa as the outstanding player in his team in the loss against Tanzania.

Most of their players who have been sidelined by injuries are yet to recover but midfielder Devon Chafa and striker Anesu Gondo have resumed light training.

FC Platinum will also be missing the services of Daniel Veremu in defence through injury and Ali Sadiki who is close to joining Democratic Republic of Congo side TP Mazembe.

Gahadzikwa has found a new lease of life under Mutasa after recovering from injury and his passing game suits his coach’s style of play.