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Eddie Chikamhi

Senior Sports Reporter

DYNAMOS coach Tonderai Ndiraya is targeting to turn the tables on his former team Ngezi Platinum Stars in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow as the Glamour Boys look to sustain their fight for this year’s title.

The Harare giants are in desperate need of maximum points to keep alive their chances in the title race dominated by three-time champions FC Platinum. 

However, they have often struggled against Ngezi Platinum Stars, who they have never beaten in their previous six league outings dating back to 2017.

There was no winner in the last three meetings which ended in identical goalless draws. This six-game winless streak should be a huge albatross for the Glamour Boys ahead of the upcoming clash, as they also have to deal with the fact that they have not been able to score a goal against their opponents during the same period.

Ironically, Ndiraya was responsible for three of DeMbare’s defeats by Ngezi Platinum Stars before he crossed the floor in 2019. Ndiraya and goalkeepers’ coach Gift ‘’Umbro’’ Muzadzi spent two years in Mhondoro before retracing their footsteps back to Dynamos.

A lot of player exchanges have also taken place between the two clubs in the last few years, and Ndiraya acknowledged problems caused by the increased familiarity.

“We know that it’s not going to be an easy match; it’s going to be a difficult one but we are preparing. There is a lot of history between the two teams.

“We have quite a number of players within our ranks who played for Ngezi Platinum Stars and that alone is making the whole contest a fierce one but we are prepared and mostly psychologically because of what happened last weekend (when DeMbare were booted out of the Chibuku Super Cup by FC Platinum).

“But we are back together now, feeling strong and hoping to put up a good fight,” said Ndiraya.

Dynamos are looking to put all their energies in the league race following their exit from the Chibuku Super Cup last weekend.

The Harare giants suffered further casualties after their trusted goalkeeper Taimon Mvula was injured and will not be available for selection tomorrow.

“We have put the disappointment of being knocked out of the Chibuku Super Cup behind us and we are now fully focused on our match against Ngezi Platinum Stars,” said Ndiraya.

Dynamos are playing catch-up in the title race dominated by FC Platinum. They desperately need maximum points after they found themselves trailing by eight points, with seven games to go.

They will be following closely the game between FC Platinum and minnows Bulawayo City at Mandava this afternoon. If FC Platinum win, the pressure could be more on Ndiraya’s men ahead of tomorrow’s kick-off.

Dynamos are unbeaten in their last seven games. But Ngezi Platinum Stars have been on the mend in the last two months under interim coach Takesure Chiragwi, picking up 11 points from a possible 15.

Despite exiting the Chibuku Super Cup, the team has kept their spirits up with wins against Triangle, Chicken Inn and Bulawayo Chiefs and drawing against runaway log leaders FC Platinum in the league marathon.

Chiragwi’s only defeat was the 1-0 upset by newboys Cranborne Bullets at Vengere, which is a difficult venue for many visiting teams.

“The good thing is that we have been collecting some points in our previous games and we hope to build on that. My hope is that the guys will put the same effort that they have been doing of late,” said Chiragwi.

“If we continue to play well it bodes well for both the team and the individual players. I always tell them that it’s easy to get noticed by foreign scouts when the team is doing well. So that should be enough motivation for the guys.

“We are also happy that we have some of our loyal fans who have been following the team everywhere we go. They have been rallying solidly behind us and what I want to say to them as we travel to Harare is that they should continue with that same spirit because it really pushes the boys to perform beyond their limits,” said Chiragwi.

Ngezi Platinum Stars have featured in some exciting duels with Dynamos since their promotion to the top-flight league a few years back. They have players like Denver Mukamba, Marvelous Mukumba, Valentine Kadonzvo and Qadr Amini who passed through Dynamos.

Likewise, DeMbare defender Frank Makarati, Keith Murera, Evans Katema, Trevor Mavhunga, Godknows Murwira and Partson Jaure have also played for both teams.

However, Ngezi Platinum Stars are set to miss three key players. The duo of Marlon Mushonga and McDonald Makuwe are out with long-term injuries while Tinotenda Musariranwa is not available for selection because of suspension.

Ngezi Platinum Stars are currently sixth in the log standings and are pushing for a strong finish as the title is now beyond them after falling 18 points away from the log leaders, FC Platinum. DeMbare are second in the race with 50 points and are trailing eight points behind the defending champions.