HARARE Dynamos title credentials face the ultimate test when they take on perennial rivals Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon, in a game in which victory could give a much-needed fillip to DeMbares rather wobbly charge for honours. (Pictured: Elvis Chiwesh
The Harare giants trail log leaders Motor Action by nine points after they put up another disjointed show that saw them sharing the spoils with asbestos miners Shabanie Mine at Maglas last Wednesday.
They now have 33 points from 14 matches and have three games in hand while Motor Action are leading the pack with 42 points.
DeMbares erratic performance this season has left beleagured coach Elvis Chiweshe and his relationship with the clubs ever-demanding supporters in danger of collapsing.
Chiweshes job remains safe at least until after todays battle of the two cities but there is no doubt the Dynamos coach will be aware of the sound of knives being sharpened by the restless DeMbare fans.
As is typical with DeMbares rather ungrateful legion of fans, Chiweshe — who was an instant hero after a string of impressive results when he took over from David Mandigora’s — is quickly turning into public enemy number one among the DeMbare crowd, unhappy at the team’s lackluster show in their previous outings.
After the team’s disappointing exit from the lucrative African Champions League, Chiweshe is under immense pressure to deliver beginning this afternoon.
But, Dynamos have a tendency of rising to the occasion when they meet bitter foes like Highlanders or CAPS United.
In the reverse fixture, Dynamos triumphed 1-0 courtesy of an Evans Gwekwerere strike at Rufaro Stadium.
Chiweshe, will again be banking on Gwekwerere, who has netted six goals for the team so far, to turn up for the party this afternoon.
The DeMbare-forward has transformed into one of the most feared strikers on the domestic scene.
Speaking ahead of todays match, Gwekwerere, said a win against Highlanders could shape the rest of DeMbares season.
Gwekwerere said: “This game is very important in our challenge for the league title. It will certainly shape the rest of our campaign. A win against Highlanders will mean a lot to us as a team. It will give impetus to our fight for the league.
We have not been playing well of late and sometimes it has been a question of being unlucky. I am confident we will come out with a good result against Highlanders.
However, it will be a very difficult match. There is likely to be a lot of emotions because of what happened in our previous meeting in the BancABCSup8rCup. But we are all focused to play and win. We are not thinking about the past.”
Their BancABCSup8rCup was abandoned in Bulawayo last month following crowd trouble as tempers flared between the two sets of teams over a controversial penalty.
However, Highlanders will be hoping to gain maximum points to help steer them from relegation trouble. With 22 points from 17 games, Bosso are also under pressure to register a win against Dynamos.
Highlanders defender Zephania Ngodzo was upbeat ahead of today’s clash. “This will be a very tough match but we are ready for Dynamos. We have been working hard in preparation for this game and I am confident we will come out with full points,” said Ngodzo.
In other fixtures today CAPS United take on Black Mambas at Rufaro while Hwange host FC Victoria at the Colliery.
Post published in: Football