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Callisto Pasuwa

Eddie Chikamhi and Paul Mundandi
TWO years after Callisto Pasuwa stole a grand victory at Mandava to build a foundation for the back-to-back League and Cup double success story, the Dynamos coach needs another season-defining win at the same stadium this afternoon. Alternatively, the stadium that represented the start of a dream run for Pasuwa and his Glamour Boys, following their stunning smash-and-grab mission in 2011, could provide the background for the beginning of the end of their tenure as champions.

It’s a decisive day in the championship race and DeMbare could surrender their lead if they take anything short of a victory at Mandava which will exert pressure on Pasuwa after an indifferent run by the people’s team.

Rivals Highlanders — who suddenly now appear as favourites for the championship — have what looks like a relatively easy home tie against Tripple B at Barbourfields although, at this point of the season, nothing can be taken for granted and the lightweights suddenly develop sharp teeth that can inflict serious damage.

Harare City also have a home fixture today against Black Mambas.
Dynamos return to the trenches this afternoon hoping to breathe life into their stuttering league campaign with a difficult assignment away to FC Platinum.

The Harare giants, who have hit a difficult patch, appear to have a mountain to climb as they seek to tame a poor run in recent weeks against the ambitious side coached by former son Lloyd Mutasa.

Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday said DeMbare have to pick up the pieces, following the shattering blow at the weekend when they lost the right to defend the Mbada Diamonds Cup with a shock defeat to How Mine and show why they are champions

The Glamour Boys should be feeling the heat as they are being stalked by Bosso, Harare City and FC Platinum who are fourth on the table with 39 points.

Kugona Kunenge Kudada are just three points away from the summit and a win today could give them a big say in the destiny of the championship.

Chihoro yesterday acknowledged Dynamos were going through a lean patch, but remained upbeat ahead of their trip to Zvishavane.
“It’s a challenge for us because we have not done so well in our last matches. We also lost the Mbada Diamonds Cup match at the weekend. We definitely need to rise from that setback,” said Chihoro.

“The good thing, though, is that morale is still high. Everyone in the team is aware of what we are going through and we need to respond accordingly.”

DeMbare will be without their captain Murape Murape who lost his father on Monday.
The DeMbare midfielder yesterday said he was devastated by the death which came barely 24 hours after they had lost in the Mbada Diamonds Cup at the hands of How Mine.

Dynamos players and officials visited the Murape family on Monday evening and conveyed their condolences.
Chihoro indicated that apart from Murape’s absence, the technical team would make big changes to the team that played on Sunday.
“We were all shocked by the news. It’s a loss to all of us as a team because Murape is one of us, the captain of the team for that matter.
“We are together with him and the family at this dark moment,” said Chihoro.

Dynamos had been let down by poor finishing in recent outings and Pasuwa will be hoping that his strikers find their range.
Washington Pakamisa, who appears to have lost touch after a good start to his career at Dynamos early this year, returned to the final 18 and will be fighting for a place alongside returning forward Simba Sithole, Patrick Khumbula, Clive Kawinga, Benjamin Marere and Farai Mupasiri.

DeMbare have dominated FC Platinum in the last two seasons, but it can only get tricky when facing a coach who knows everything about you.

Mutasa knows this DeMbare team well and has a number of experienced players in his team who include captain Daniel Veremu, Donald Ngoma, Winston Mhango and Thabani Kamusoko.

FC Platinum have hiked gate charges to US$5 for the cheapest ticket as they expect to cash in on the expected big crowd.
Mutasa said he just wants a positive result for his team.

“I am not looking at Pasuwa or a club called Dynamos, but I am playing a league match. I have prepared very well and all I need is a positive result.

“We are looking at collecting maximum points as much as we can in all the matches we are going to play.
“We are still assessing the injury of Charles (Sibanda) and Donald (Ngoma),” said Mutasa.

Mutasa is leading a team where there has been a lot of discord of late, something which could help DeMbare.
Ali Sadiki has been AWOL for more than two months after a row with the technical team.

FC Platinum have never beaten Dynamos since 2011 as they lost 2-0 at Rufaro before losing 1-0 at home in a game they just needed a draw to clinch the league title.

In 2012, the story was still the same as Dynamos won 2-1 at Mandava before finishing the job at Rufaro with a sweet 1-0 victory.
But FC Platinum managed to snatch a point away from the Glamour Boys in their first meeting at Rufaro when the teams drew 2-2 early this year.

Giants Highlanders are also out on a mission against lowly Tripple B.
The Bulawayo giants are likely to miss their coach Kelvin Kaindu who went back home to Zambia on Monday for a brief visit.
Kaindu is expected back today.

Bosso are second on the log standings with 42 points, just one behind Dynamos.
They have a real chance of taking over top position today and assistant coach Bhekithemba Ndlovu yesterday said they were gunning for maximum points.

“We are coming from a good win at the weekend and right now the spirits are high.
“We aim to continue with the impressive form, but we have to be careful since there are no longer small teams these days,” said Ndlovu.
Holding midfielder Hillary Madzivanyika will not take part today as he has been suspended for accumulating three yellow cards.
Tripple B coach Peter Manoti said he was facing a difficult assignment with six of his players down injured.

Midfielder Webster Chingodza, Lloyd Chiwaridzo, Max Mavhuto, Simon Maengeni and Oscar Chove are all nursing injuries while Philip Makanje has been suspended after picking a red card in a previous encounter.