DYNAMOS coach Kalisto Pasuwa will be seeking to right the wrongs which have seen his forwards failing to get goals in four consecutive matches as they host FC Platinum in a must-win Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) tie at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Zimbabwe champions have been struggling for goals since the start of the season having managed just six goals in seven PSL matches they have played in the campaign so far.
Anesu Gondo has scored two of those goals.
More importantly, Pasuwa’s men have failed to find the target in the last four matches they have played including the 0-1 defeat to bitter rivals Caps United in the ZNA Charity Shield trophy on Sunday — a development which has not gone well with the club’s hard-to-please supporters.
The Dynamos gaffer, also an assistant coach of the Warriors, returned from an unsuccessful trip on national duty with Zimbabwe falling 0-1 to Tanzania in the first round, first leg of the 2014 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Yesterday, he admitted the lack of goals continues to haunt them even at national level, but expressed hope they would get it right today. Dynamos were beaten to the Independence Trophy by FC Platinum on penalties, but he remains confident.
“We are ready for FC Platinum. We have not been scoring, but it is our approach that will make us win this match,” said Pasuwa.
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The Dynamos coach is yet to win against the FC Platinum coach Lloyd Mutasa since he took over as coach of the Zvishavane-based side.
FC Platinum had not beaten Dynamos before Mutasa, who is also Pasuwa’s friend, engineered a 2-0 win at Mandava Stadium with goals coming from Elvis Moyo and Charles Sibanda.
However, Pasuwa refused to be drawn into those statistics. “All the 15 coaches in the PSL are my friends and Mutasa is just one of those friends. We will see the outcome after 90 minutes,” said Pasuwa, who will be banking on goalkeeper George Chigova, defender Partson Jaure and midfielder Stephen Alimenda.
Mutasa said playing against Dynamos would always be difficult, but was also exuding confidence.
“It’s always difficult to play against Dynamos, but we are coming there with the aim of collecting maximum points. We have been preparing for the match and are looking forward to it.
“The only setback is that we will miss the services of our captain Daniel Vheremu who got injured at Sakubva when we played Buffaloes last week. We will also be without Ali Sadiki who is still on trials with TP Mazembe,” said Mutasa who also welcomes back forward Marshall Mudehwe from national duty.
Mudehwe — a product of DC Academy — got his first call-up to the national team by coach Ian Gorowa ahead of the trip to Tanzania and Mutasa believes he has a bright future and that his call-up to the national team will inspire others.
“Marshall has a bright future and we are really happy he has been given the nod to play for the Warriors. We are particularly happy that this has happened in his first season,” he said.
Allen Gahadzikwa, who struck two goals against Highlanders in the Commander ZNA Charity Shield semi-final at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday, looks set to keep his position up front ahead of Nelson Mazivisa.
Platinum have Qadr Amini who has scored three goals this season, Mitchelle Katsavairo, Donald Ngoma and Obrey Chirwa to bank on while the experience of veteran striker Njabulo Ncube will come in handy.
Fixtures Today: How Mine v Caps United, (Luveve), Triangle United v Buffaloes (Gibbo), Chapungu v Hwange (Ascot, SS9), Dynamos v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium), Black Rhinos v ZPC Kariba (Rimuka)
Tomorrow: Shabanie Mine v Chiredzi (Maglas, SS9), Highlanders v Harare City (Barbourfields).
