Chapungu face DeMbare backlash
FALLEN giants Dynamos have vowed to restore their glamour when they face Chapungu in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro this afternoon.
The Glamour Boys suffered their heaviest defeat at the hands of Highlanders in the Battle of Zimbabwe last Sunday.
Their coach Lloyd Mutasa, who was away on national duty, yesterday said they needed to bounce back from the humiliating 0-3 drubbing.
DeMbare have been boosted by the availability of their new signing, former Zimbabwe international Kingston Nkhatha, who is set to make his debut for the Glamour Boys today.
Vice captain, Marshal Machazane, is also set to return while Blessing Moyo has been elbowed out by yellow cards.
“I think we really want to bounce back. A good team is known by how you respond after such a defeat. So we are trying to get a better response from these guys,” said Mutasa.
“We are very hopeful that we should be able to get a good result against Chapungu. All the boys are available save for Blessing Moyo who is not eligible to play because of some yellow cards.
“Generally, we are sorry about what happened in Bulawayo. But what I know is, whether you are a coach or a player, you always want to go out into the field and get a positive result, but sometimes it doesn’t work out the way you want.
“We are very thankful to our fans. They were behind us all the way and we are saying they should continue supporting the team.
“We are in this together until the end of the season.”
Dynamos have dominated the meetings with Chapungu in the last four seasons.
Despite Dynamos’ inconsistent and poor season, Chapungu coach Rodwell Dhlakama says the Glamour Boys still deserve respect.
“If you go to play against Dynamos underrating them, you will be shocked,” he said.
“They are a good side which has the capacity to rise against any opposition.
“People might want to mock them, which is normal in football, but the fact is Dynamos remain fierce opposition for anyone in the league.
“If anyone wins against Dynamos, the level of excitement is just too much, I think that is the reason which justifies how good they are, you cannot be too excited if you beat a small team.
“We are still not safe from relegation and we will continue fighting to preserve our Premiership status come the end of the season.
“I know we have a very difficult game against Dynamos, but we will try our very best to come with something from that match.”
He saluted his team for advancing past the preliminary round of the Chibuku Super Cup.
“We did well to advance in the Chibuku Cup and we also have to fight relegation and we will continue fighting on both fronts.
“If we manage to get maximum points against Dynamos, that will be a good achievement for us in our fight against relegation.
“We will be psyching the players to be up for that challenge,” said Dhlakama.
The Gweru side’s last league win over Dynamos in Harare was on April 24, 2005.
Last year DeMbare recorded back-to-back victories against Chapungu.