The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
MANICA Diamonds coach Luke Masomere is hopeful his charges will be able to handle the pressure normally exerted by Dynamos supporters when they visit the Harare giants at Rufaro this afternoon.
The Premiership new boys are aiming to extend their unbeaten run to five games and Masomere believes that Dynamos’ rare victory over champions FC Platinum at Mandava last week could work against his side with the Glamour Boys supporters playing a pivotal role in today’s encounter.
“Dynamos have an effective 12th man.
“An average Dynamos can be pushed by its supporters to be a better side to an extent that it can even win against Orlando Pirates, facing a Dynamos that is coming from such a big win needs players with character to handle their vociferous supporters,” Masomere said.
Despite being aware of the role the fans will play in today’s game Masomere believes he has done everything that needs to be done to psyche up his charges for the assignment.
“We have played all our 10 matches away from home, I have warned my players of what to expect, they are not new to football hence I am optimistic that they will handle the pressure of the supporters well.
“Dynamos are playing well and getting desired results hence we have prepared so well for the game and what I can promise you is that Manica Diamonds will score a goal on Sunday and will do whatever to we will to defend that goal.
“I do not plan for a draw or a loss but I plan for a positive result and that is what we will be hoping to achieve when we take on Dynamos,” he said.
While Masomere is worried about the confidence levels in the DeMbare camp, Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya has been battling to deal with complacency within his dressing room that could be sparked by the win over FC Platinum. “After beating the champions, the boys tend to have a negative attitude as they tend to think that they can now beat any team but that is not the case. Football is not like that.
“It has been difficult for us as coaches because of the shocking result. We have been trying to correct that attitude and we have been telling them that the big result means more work for us.
“Some teams have not been taking us seriously. But because of the result we got at Mandava it means every team will come prepared for us and that puts us under pressure. But it also pushes us to go a step further in whatever we were doing so that we are found above all the teams that we are going to face,” said Ndiraya.
Ndiraya who bounced back at Dynamos on April 24 and is yet to lose a match at Rufaro since his return is confident of maintaining the record.
“Manica Diamonds have an experienced side and we are expecting a tough match, if we are to do right what we have been doing in our last four matches then we will get a positive result,” Ndiraya said.
Fixtures:
Dynamos v Manica Diamonds (Rufaro)
Hwange v Triangle (Colliery)
Mushowani v Bulawayo Chiefs (National Sports stadium)
TelOne v Black Rhinos (Luveve)
