TRIANGLE coach Biggie Zuze is comfortable with his team’s underdog tag as they make the trip to Harare to face champions Dynamos in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday, but warned them they could only underrate them at their own peril. TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Chiredzi-based outfit is struggling for form and is coming from a demoralising 0-4 defeat to FC Platinum — goals which according to Zuze gave the scoreline an entirely unmerited gloss as they played well.
The Triangle boss said his charges had been conceding soft goals and that they could stop Dynamos, but admitted it would not be easy to walk into the National Sports Stadium.
“It is always difficult to face these teams which are at the top especially the champions. We are coming from a heavy defeat to FC Platinum, but that has actually given us strength as we go to Harare.
“We have got great respect for Dynamos, but I have been talking to my players in the build-up to this match that any team can be beaten. All we need is to raise our game a bit.
“We have got the team that can compete, but most of them are youngsters who have got no experience. But we are going there with a positive mind. We hope for the best on Sunday,” Zuze said.
Triangle are in fourth position from the bottom on the log standings with just eight points from nine matches. They have won two, drawn two and lost five. A win over Dynamos will steer them out of the relegation zone.
The Chiredzi outfit were fretting over the fitness of David Sengu, Charles Rukwanhi and Blessing Chimwamuchere, who have knocks and will have to pass late fitness tests.
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The Harare giants have also been struggling for consistency, but victories in their last two matches before the break should give them confidence. Dynamos edged FC Platinum 1-0 with a late controversial penalty by Ocean Mushure deciding a contest which had appeared set for a draw. A trip to Chiredzi FC in their previous match earned them another slender 1-0 victory which took them to top four.
They will, however, be without industrious midfielder Stephen Alimenda who has been suspended for picking up three yellow cards.
Alimenda has been a regular for the champions and has been one of the outstanding players whose performances caught Warriors coach Ian Gorowa’s eye.
However, the champions will welcome defender Partson Jaure and goalkeeper George Chigova from the national team. The two, however, come into the team low on confidence after the Warriors crashed out of the race for the 2015 continental tournament — a development which means Zimbabwe will have to wait for the next two years to participate at that level of competition.
Tawanda Muparati and Masimba Mambare are still struggling with injuries.
