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Lloyd Mutasa

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS coach Lloyd Mutasa is refusing to bow down to pressure after the Glamour Boys’ title aspirations took a serious blow in the last two matches which gave way to rivals FC Platinum to take control of the race. Mutasa has been primed for a fairytale run after opening a three-point cushion at the top recently, but all has since been reversed after DeMbare dropped points against ZPC Kariba and Tsholotsho.

Dynamos produced a pathetic performance on Wednesday when they drew 1-1 with the relegation-threatened side while FC Platinum were winning 2-0 in the tense Zvishavane Derby against Shabanie Mine. FC Platinum now leads the race with 59 points while Dynamos fell into second place after almost a month in control of the race, with 58 points.

Third-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars are still in the contest with a big shout, sitting just a point behind DeMbare despite the disappointing 1-1 draw at Chapungu. There are still five games remaining in the season, which translate to 15 points at stake.

“It’s like we are no longer having the destiny in our own hands. What we wanted to manage was just to play our own games, maintain the advantage and probably concentrate on our matches. It’s difficult during this time of the season to look at how we want to play and look at the results elsewhere, it becomes a big task,” said Mutasa.

DeMbare failed to click against Tsholotsho as they were made to play second fiddle to the visiting minnows for the better part of the game. But Mutasa believes the Glamour Boys only need to forget the four points they have dropped and take matters into their hands when they travel to title rivals Ngezi Platinum Stars for their next match.

This match could make or break their season ahead of the other assignments against Chapungu, Bulawayo City, Bantu Rovers and Chicken Inn. They were rank outsiders when the race started, following a troubled pre-season. Mutasa believes they have performed beyond their expectations to be even considered in the championship race.

“I wouldn’t want to believe it’s the pressure because the pressure was there from the onset. The moment you put on the blue and white jersey for Dynamos, irrespective of the magnitude of the game, the pressure is always there. “These are the very same players that have been doing business before and I think it was only one of those bad days in office. I am sure we will be able to bounce back.

“We have been in these scenarios before when we were losing games and drawing, but then coming back. It’s part and parcel of the game. I think it’s not a tall order to forget about this one and think about the next encounter,” said Mutasa.

With the way the race is shaping up, FC Platinum now have it in their hands with matches against Harare City, ZPC Kariba and Tsholotsho.

“The penultimate match of the season against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Mandava will be key in defining their season. They also have a tricky away finishing at Ascot where they face Chapungu in the last match.

Ngezi Platinum coach Tonderai Ndiraya might have lost ground, but he is drawing confidence in the fact that his side will face both Dynamos (at home) and FC Platinum (away) among their last five games.

On the other end of the table, it is not looking good for Tsholotsho who are now one defeat away from being relegated.

They could kiss goodbye to Premiership football should they lose their next game to relegated Bantu Rovers.