DYNAMOS were by yesterday sweating over the possible unavailability of star midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa for the crunch Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie against Ngezi Platinum at the National Sports Stadium today.
Shandirwa was set to be assessed late yesterday with the player struggling with a back injury.
Coach Genesis Mangombe said Shandirwa sustained the injury during the Warriors’ training camp.
“Shandirwa has got a back pain following an injury sustained in the Warriors’ training camp. We have a light training session this afternoon where we will check on him if he will be fit for tomorrow’s game but otherwise everyone else is ready for the game,” Mangombe said.
The Dynamos coach said it’s a must-win game against Ngezi Platinum if they are to keep up the chase for the championship.
“We will play our usual game, but we are playing under a bit of pressure. We have two games without a win, and we need to win this one at all costs and maybe that will boost our confidence also in the Chibuku Super Cup. Ngezi Platinum have been doing well, upsetting a lot of teams. To be champions, you can’t be dropping points in easier games like what we have been doing. I need to psyche up the boys. If we win this one and make sure we win the game in hand then we stand a chance to compete but that goes for every team that is in the top four including FC Platinum and Highlanders,” Mangombe said.
Ngezi Platinum coach Takesure Chiragwi is still coy about the championship despite a good run by his side.
“We are not concerned about our position on the log, I have said this repeatedly. We play competitions to win, but more importantly, we want to develop a culture here. That is exactly what we are working on, to build a team that will compete well next year and the following year going forward. This is the time to make sure that we build a team that will compete in the future,” Chiragwi said.
- Chicken Inn lose again, Bullets boost survival hopes
- FC Platinum wary of dangerous WhaWha
- Chiefs take aim at Ngezi
- FC Platinum march on.
Keep Reading
As Ngezi and Dynamos battle it out in Harare, second-placed FC Platinum on 46 points host Black Rhinos at Mandava, while Highlanders, also with 46 points, make the long trip to Chisumbanje where they clash with Green Fuel.
FC Platinum and Highlanders faltered last week as the former lost to ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga, while the latter were held to a goalless draw by Cranborne Bullets at Barbourfields.
Manica Diamonds, with 43 points and a game in hand against Dynamos, are away to Yadah at Baobab tomorrow.
Fixtures
Today: Green Fuel vs Highlanders (Green Fuel), FC Platinum vs Black Rhinos (Mandava), Chicken Inn vs ZPC Kariba (Luveve), Sheasham vs Triangle (Bata), Simba Bhora vs Caps United (Baobab), Dynamos vs Ngezi Platinum Stars (NSS), Hwange vs Herentals (Colliery)
Tomorrow: Cranborne Bullets vs Bulawayo Chiefs (NSS), Yadah vs Manica Diamonds (Baobab)
