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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS skipper Murape Murape believes their home games have more pressure from the supporters, but maintains the Harare giants will not wilt under the load of expectations as they gun for a fourth league championship in a row.
The Glamour Boys return to Rufaro tomorrow in search of maximum points against struggling side Shabanie Mine.

The asbestos miners, however, have not been easy customers against Dynamos in the last two seasons.

Murape believes Shabanie Mine are a big threat to their campaign.

“We have to take the game seriously. It’s not safe to underrate any team in football these days. I think all the remaining games are difficult and we need to be focused, confident and ruthless with the chances that come our way.

“We have to make sure that we score early because that will take away the pressure from us.

“If we take long to score, then our opponents may be able to settle into the game and with the pressure from our own supporters, there could be problems.
“We have to make sure that in everything that we are going to do now, we must collect maximum points so that we maintain our lead.

“It won’t make sense at the end of the year if we fail to win the title when at one time we led by four points,” said Murape.

Dynamos are currently on top of the log table with 43 points, two clear of surprise packages ZPC Kariba and, crucially, four ahead of traditional rivals Highlanders and CAPS United.

They are eager to extend their 12-match unbeaten, which began with the 1-0 win over Highlanders at the National Sports Stadium on June 22.

Shabanie are fighting for survival, sitting precariously third-from-the-bottom of the table with 26 points.

However, the clashes between the two teams have been close encounters in the last two seasons.

They played identical 1-1 draws during the 2013 season, during which Shabanie Mine also dumped DeMbare out of the BancABC Sup8r Cup through a penalty shootout.

The first league meeting this year failed to produce goals at Maglas.

DeMbare welcome back Themba Ndlovu, who missed last week’s trip to FC Platinum due to suspension.

Most of the players are available for selection, save for Ocean Mushure, Simba Sithole and Walter Mukanga, who have knocks.

Murape told The Herald that they were looking at the bigger picture as prospects of landing another title look a reality, since their major rivals CAPS United and Highlanders have been faltering.

“I cannot say we have done it yet, but we are confident that we are within touching distance of grabbing our fourth league title in a row.

“We have to finish strongly. We have to work harder now, more than we have done all season.

“All that we have worked hard for may come to naught if we don’t finish it off well. We have to be focused and keep looking at the prize, which is the league title.

“We will not look at how other teams are playing.

“The pressure usually comes from the fans, they demand more from us.

“But with what we have achieved so far, we don’t have to put too much pressure on ourselves because we have been playing well and winning most of our games.

“We just have to continue with our good form no matter what people may say about our play.

“As Dynamos, we always thrive to be number one. That’s the motivation that we have and it has to override the pressure that comes with it because if we buckle under pressure we won’t achieve our goals,” said Murape.

DeMbare were dealt a blow following the injury of Simba Sithole, while Shabanie Mine were sweating over Xolani Ncube, who took a knock in last week’s 1-0 defeat to Chiredzi.

Marvelous Dikinya is also out through suspension.

Despite the setbacks they have faced this season, Shabanie Mine coach Jairos Tapera is still keen for a positive result against the defending champions.

Shabanie pin their hopes on the ageless Zvenyika Makonese, Rowen Nenzou, former Gunners midfielder Wellington Kamudyariwa, Godknows Murwira, Carlos Mesi and ex-DeMbare striker Allan Tavarwisa.

“I think this is going to be a very tough game. It’s a huge game which many people are looking forward to. Dynamos are the defending champions and obviously they are dangerous at this stage, as they specialise on the championship.

“We respect them for that, but we are in the league to compete.

“We also need the points. In fact, we would want as many points as we can possibly collect in the remaining games. Our strategy is to take each game as it comes and it will be good for us if we can at least get a point from each and every game that we play,” said Tapera.