The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS coach Kallisto Pasuwa fears complacency could be his side’s greatest undoing as the champions host relegation-threatened Shabanie Mine at Rufaro this afternoon. Striker Washington Pakamisa looks set to bounce back into the DeMbare starting XI at the expense of an injured Simba Sithole, as the log leaders seek to stretch their league unbeaten run to 13 games.
The Glamour Boys are top of the log with 43 points, one more than second-placed Caps United who beat Black Rhinos 1-0 yesterday, and are aware that victories in the remaining seven matches will see them being crowned champions for the fourth consecutive season.
However, as expectation levels rise, Pasuwa is wary of complacency creeping into the heads of his troops and the respected gaffer spent the better part of the week working on his players’ psyche.
“Players tend to get relaxed thinking they have already won because it is Shabanie Mine and the game is at Rufaro. But some forget it is the same team that nearly got us into trouble at almost the same stage last year.
“As a coach, I go to Rufaro knowing what is needed, but I am saying to everyone in the house, Shabanie are not a walkover as some would want to think.
“The same attitude that we have when we play against Caps United or Highlanders should be similar to that we take onto the field when we play all the other teams.
“We have been psyching up the guys, impressing upon them the magnitude of the task at hand. At this stage, all the games are difficult because every team has something to play for,” said Pasuwa.
The Chinda Boys held DeMbare 1-1 at the same venue in Week 28 last year, while closest rivals Bosso were beating Triangle 1-0, an outcome that almost derailed Pasuwa’s chances of a third straight league title.
Dynamos could benefit from the outcome of the crucial encounter between third-placed ZPC Kariba and fellow title chasers Highlanders, but Pasuwa is focused on the things he can control.
Veteran skipper Murape Murape is reading from the same page as his coach and has called for unity within the Dynamos family.
“We need each other now more than ever because this is the stage where boys are separated from men.
“We need to maintain a united camp or else all that we have worked for will come to naught,” said Murape.
DeMbare’s defence line has been boosted by the return of reliable centre back Themba Ndlovu who missed the 0-0 draw at FC Platinum last Saturday through suspension.
It is a battle of two teams with different tales, as Shabanie are hanging precariously on position 14, desperately needing to pick up points to avoid the looming axe.
The Zvishavane side’s record away from Maglas has been so appalling.
Shabanie have won only once on the road, against Harare City on June 28, and their ship has been sailing on turbulent waters over the past 10 weeks.
The appointment of former FC Platinum coach Jairos Tapera, who replaced John Phiri last month, has brought with it some glimmer of hope, though.
Tapera has so far managed three points in his two assignments, a 2-0 home win over Hwange and a 0-1 loss to fellow strugglers Chiredzi FC last weekend.
He squares up against Pasuwa who has lost only twice in Harare — against Buffaloes and ZPC Kariba — and Tapera is aware of the fortress his team is about to enter into.
“This one is a very, very huge game for us, considering that the team has not done well away this season and we come up against the defending champions and log leaders playing in front of their vociferous fans.
“But we now have a different approach and whoever wins will have done so after a gruelling battle.
“We need to pick up points anywhere against anyone in these last seven games starting Sunday (today) against Dynamos,” said Tapera, who is targeting to win at least four games in the home run.
