The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
THERE might be some pizzazz in the Dynamos camp, triggered by last weekend’s commendable show at Mandava and the arrival of new players, but coach Tonderai Ndiraya is cognisant of the mammoth task he faces against Chicken Inn this afternoon.
DeMbare host the Gamecocks at the National Sports Stadium, in the 19th league meeting between the two sides since 2011, when Chicken Inn made their Premier Soccer League debut.
Interestingly, Chicken Inn have a better head-to-head record against Dynamos with six wins and eight draws, while DeMbare have won just four league battles against the Bulawayo outfit.
Going by history, Chicken Inn have a better chance of clinching this tie, although their coach Joey “Mafero” Antipas is a bit cautious, as he faces a Dynamos side that put up a good show in the 0-0 draw against champions FC Platinum at Mandava last weekend.
Ndiraya has been talking up the high spirits within his camp.
“It’s unfortunate we have to play two difficult teams in succession. However, we have a good feeling because of the point we got at Mandava.
“That performance has ignited some self-belief within the boys who have been pushing hard throughout the week,” said Ndiraya.
Dynamos are playing their first league match at home since acquiring eight new players during the January window and this could attract a decent crowd at the National Stadium.
And their coach believes home advantage might be Dynamos’ trump card.
“Our fans are eager to watch the new players live in action and this is really giving us some excitement going into this match,” said Ndiraya.
The 2019 Soccer Star of the Year runner-up Ralph Kawondera, ex-Ngezi Platinum Stars utility man Keith Murera, dribbling wizard Issa Sadiki and Ghanaian striker Emmanuel Paga are some of the new faces at Dynamos.
Veteran striker Evans Katema and highly-rated former CAPS United left back Brandon Mpofu are also part of the revamped Dynamos side. Nonetheless, Ndiraya, is fully aware of the threat that seasoned campaigners Chicken Inn pose.
The Gamecocks have been one of the most stable teams in the Premiership and have managed to retain the core of their side over a number of seasons.
“We are playing a solid team, former champions and we have been preparing with that in mind,” Ndiraya added.
Chicken Inn won the league title in 2015 and since then they have finished in the top four.
Although statistics show a better head to head record in their favour, Antipas is not reading much into the records.
“Those are just stats, it’s part of history which will count for nothing when we face Dynamos in this fresh assignment,” Antipas told The Sunday Mail Sport yesterday.
“We just want to go out there and do our thing. Try and get a positive result.
“We have been doing well of late, we are creating chances and we just want to put them away.
“But we are also aware that we are facing a resilient Dynamos with experienced and tough defenders like Jaure (Partson) and Makarati (Frank). We are just hoping that we will have an edge over them,” Antipas said.
While the jury is still out on Dynamos’ new signings, the new faces at Chicken Inn — Richard Hachiro who arrived from CAPS United and Malvin Hwata (Cranborne Bullets) have made an instant impact for Antipas’ men.
The diminutive Hachiro was outstanding when Chicken Inn won 2-1 against ambitious Bulawayo Chiefs at Luveve last weekend.
It also remains to be seen if the West Africans signed by DeMbare will be as effective as Cameroonian gunman Christian Epoupa, who mesmerised defenders back in 2017.
Dynamos have seven points from four matches while Chicken Inn are two points ahead.
The Gamecocks have been one of the most prolific sides since the resumption of the 2021/2022 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League two weeks ago.
They beat Tenax 3-0 before edging Bulawayo Chiefs 2-1 last weekend.
Chicken Inn are also reaping the rewards for keeping faith in Antipas, who has been in charge since January 2018, when he returned to Bulawayo after a short stint at South African side AmaZulu.
Antipas was in charge when Chicken Inn won their first and only league title in 2015 before he was lured to Durban by AmaZulu the following year.
He has created a squad that is periodically refreshed with tactical additions.
While Chicken Inn still have the old guard of skipper Moses Jackson, Passmore Bernard, Brett Amidu, Malvin Gaki and goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, they also made vital additions during the January window.
Apart from Hachiro and Hwata, midfielder Denzel Khumalo also joined the Gamecocks from FC Platinum.
Fixtures:
Manica Diamonds v CAPS United (Sakubva), Whawha v Herentals (Ascot), Bulawayo City v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Chicken Inn (NSS)
