Dynamos fans to pay less

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS supporters will tomorrow pay less than they have been accustomed to this year at the gates as the defending champions try to revive their league campaign against relegation fighters Monomotapa at Rufaro.
The Harare giants’ fans have been paying an average US$5 for the cheapest ticket for the most part of the season whether their team was playing at home or away.
Dynamos have the largest following in the country and teams have been capitalising on the numbers for revenue.
But the club’s management announced yesterday they had reverted to the original ticket price of US$3 as approved by the Premier Soccer League for the rest of the ground while the upper grand stand and VIP sections will cost US$5 and US$10.
DeMbare are hoping to harness the supporters’ influence as the “12th player” in their remaining home games as the race for the championship gets tough at the top.
Team manager Richard Chihoro said DeMbare need to use home advantage as they seek to continue with their good run at Rufaro.
The Glamour Boys are unbeaten in the last 31 games at Rufaro stretching from last year.
“We sacrificed the gate charges so that more people may come to the stadium and back their team. The support factor is very important since they are the 12th man.
“So we are urging our fans to come in big numbers and the team will do its part on the pitch,” said Chihoro.
Dynamos are coming from a disappointing outing in Hwange during the midweek where their fight for the 2013 league title suffered a serious blow following a 4-2 defeat.
Club vice-captain Tawanda Muparati yesterday said Dynamos were keen to spring back quickly from their failure in Hwange.
“We don’t want to take the risk of underrating Monomotapa judging by their results this year but this is a game we have to win at all costs.
‘‘It’s now delicate at the top of the table and this is the period where every points matters. Otherwise our mission will be doomed.
“What happened in Hwange was not expected. It was not our day. We got off to a very slow start and we were always second to the ball, which gave Hwange the upper hand.
“The first goal which we conceded then killed all the morale especially coming from a penalty. I also think we were frustrated by the referee and we allowed that to get into our heads, hence we could not play our normal game.
“But we have been talking about retaining the championship since the beginning of the season and everyone knows that in the team. So we hope to put that defeat behind us and bounce back quickly,” said Muparati.
Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa yesterday decided to rest his team to allow the players to recover from the effects of their hectic itinerary this week.
DeMbare travelled to Chiredzi for the Mbada Diamonds Cup first round last weekend before flying to flew to and from Hwange during the week for the league match.
The Glamour Boys will welcome their key defender Partson Jaure and midfielder Russel Madamombe tomorrow after the duo missed the trip to Hwange on suspension.
Monomotapa coach Biggie Zuze yesterday said they are looking forward to positive result despite their poor run this year.
Monoz are currently deep in the relegation zone.
“Everyone in the team knows we are in a difficult situation and we have to work hard. But I wouldn’t want to put the players under pressure just because we are playing Dynamos.
“We know they are a big team with many supporters who can influence things on the pitch but if we concentrate on playing our normal game I am sure their noise will not mean anything,” said Zuze.
Zuze said they were assessing Obey Mwerahari, Nelson Melson and goalkeeper Jonathan Zvaita who were carrying knocks.
“The problem is we are not scoring goals. Otherwise our performance is good and we only need to work on the final third. Dynamos are coming from a defeat and they will be coming at us with full force.
“I foresee an afternoon of total football, full of running for both teams and it was going to be good if we had won our match against Tripple B during the week because we needed something to psyche our youngsters up,” said Zuze.
Highlanders will be away to Buffaloes tomorrow while Harare City will be in Bulawayo for a tough date against Chicken Inn this afternoon.
Motor Action are praying for a change of fortunes when they face police side Black Mambas at Morris Depot this afternoon.
Coach Prince Matore told The Herald that it is getting difficult for them in their quest for survival.
“It’s tough but we remain positive. The problem is that we are not scoring goals. We had a fair share of good chances in that game against Chicken Inn but we are failing to score. That should be our emphasis now going forward,” said Matore.
Fixtures
Today
Chicken Inn v Harare City (Luveve, SS9), Black Mambas v Motor Action (Morris Depot),
Tomorrow
Shabanie Mine v CAPS United (Maglas), How Mine v Black Rhinos (Luveve, SS9), Buffaloes v Highlanders (Sakubva), Triangle v Hwange (Gibbo), Dynamos v Monomotapa (Rufaro), Triple B v FC Platinum (Dulibadzimu).
Comments