Chidzambwa is widely regarded as Zimbabwe’s most successful coach after taking the Warriors to their first ever Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2004 and Dynamos to the final of the Caf Champions League in 1998.
The former Warriors coach addressed the team’s players and imparted on them the need to win the game against the steamrolling Highlanders in one of their biggest matches of the season.
Dynamos have a tough task at hand as they attempt to end Highlanders’ unbeaten run.
The Bulawayo giants have not lost a game in 14 matches and are chasing Zimbabwe Saints’ record of 23 unbeaten matches set on their way to the league title in 1988.
Highlanders are safely at the top of the table with 32 points from 14 games, three points ahead of Shabanie Mine who have played a game more.
But Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa says Bosso’s honeymoon is over. “ We are prepared for Highlanders. We have no injury worries and above all the players are motivated by their failure in Africa. This is our game for the taking,” said Pasuwa.
Pasuwa’s confidence is borne in part on the fact that he still has the bustling Takesure Chinyama to look forward to for goals. Chinyama was supposed to have left for South Africa’s Orlando Pirates but the deal has not gone through and Dynamos are lucky to have him in this big match as he seeks the goals with the support of Roderick Mutuma.
The national team striker has banged in seven goals so far and wants to leave Dynamos in a good standing before leaving should he get the passport to join the Buccaneers.
Although they will be missing Washington Arubi and Denver Mukamba both of whom have left for South Africa, Dynamos have named their best team available for the Bosso assignment with George Chigova stepping in for Arubi and Devon Chafa filling in the role left by Mukamba.
Dynamos on their part are in seventh position on the league table with 23 points from 11 games and victory over Highlanders will boost their chances of retaining the title they won on goal difference at the expense of FC Platinum last season.
But Highlanders are not the team to be in the streets or on the stands. Under the coaching guidance of Zambian Kelvin Kaindu, Bosso have been on a roll but they know that it is only by beating Dynamos that they will be recognised as the best team in the land at the moment.
While Dynamos play a game reliant too much on individuals, Highlanders are a solid all round team built around youth and experience.
Kaindu has built his side alongside seasoned players Beavan Chikaka, Simba Mambare, Graham Ncube, Eric Mudzingwa, and Milton Ncube with youngsters Ariel Sibanda, Atlast Musasa and Simon Munawa, a team capable of sending even the best of Dynamos to the cleaners.
Highlanders legend Willard Mashinkila has predicted at outright win for Bosso, the same thinking he shares with Douglas Mloyi though Moses Chunga has his money on Dynamos.
Matches between Dynamos and Highlanders rarely end in draws and the Battle for Zimbabwe Part One looks likely to follow that tradition.
Post published in: Football