The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
THEY called him “Signature” at Highlanders because of the way his cultured left foot caressed the ball, more like someone appending a signature onto a document.
Some called him “Tshisa” because he was one of the hottest players in the local league at his peak. Johannes Ngodzo won the Premiership title with Highlanders in 2006 before hanging up his boots at Bantu Rovers four years later after a career-ending injury.
Ngodzo dazzled for Highlanders in the 2000s when Bosso were still dominant in the local league and was heavily involved in numerous blockbuster Battle of Zimbabwe clashes against Dynamos.
He has seen enough in the local game to realise how dangerous Dynamos are, especially when they are leading the log standings.
Ngodzo was temporarily appointed acting head coach at Bulawayo City early last week when they sacked Philani “Beefy” Ncube.
He worked with the players until Wednesday when the club decided to rope in Farai Tawachera because the former star player is not a CAF A licence holder.
He, however, remains part of the set-up at Amakhosi, who anchor the log with six points from 13 matches.
This afternoon, out-of-sorts Bulawayo City face a beast in Dynamos, who are unbeaten in their last eight matches.
The match is at the National Sports Stadium. It’s a tale of two sides with contrasting fortunes.
While DeMbare are slowly marching towards a 10-game unbeaten run, Bulawayo City are seeking their first win in nine games.
Coincidentally, the same day that Bulawayo City last won a league match is the same date Dynamos last tasted defeat.
City stunned Highlanders 1-0 at Barbourfields on February 22, as Dynamos lost by the same scoreline against Chicken Inn at the National Sports Stadium.
DeMbare are now closing in on 10 matches without defeat.
The Harare giants have in the past built some strong unbeaten runs, like in 2019 when they managed a 19-game streak without a loss between July and November.
However, 14 of those games were draws.
This time around they have won seven of their last eight games, raking in 22 points out of a possible 24 in the process.
These are statistics that are worrying Ngodzo. “From my experience in the local league both as a player and a coach, I think everyone knows how dangerous and fearsome Dynamos are when they are on top of the log or when they are challenging for the title,” Ngodzo said.
“Dynamos are a big team and playing them in their own backyard will not be easy.”
DeMbare have, however, been criticised in some circles for “playing boring football or winning ugly’’ in some instances.
While their defence, which has conceded three goals in the last eight matches, has been lauded, DeMbare’s strikeforce has been inept.
Their three centre-strikers — Evans Katema, Alex Oromotal and Albert Eonde — have one goal between them.
That one goal only came last weekend when Nigerian Oromotal rose from the bench to break his duck in the 2-1 win at WhaWha.
DeMbare’s top scorer is Emmanuel Paga, who has five goals, but he is not an out-and-out striker.
Consequently, The Glamour Boys spent the better part of last week trying to improve their conversion rate.
Their coach Tonderai Ndiraya is hoping for a change of fortunes.
“If we really want to fight for honours, we should have consistency in terms of scoring,” said Ndiraya.
“We are judged by the number of goals we score. Yes, I am happy with the chances we are creating but I am not happy with our finishing. I am not happy with the strikers so far. “But I am happy with Paga, he has scored five goals so far in 10 matches.
“If you are a top striker, you have to be consistent and score in almost every match that you play.
“We want that consistency; we want to have one of our strikers amongst those top scorers in the league.”
Dynamos created a number of chances against WhaWha last weekend but their strikers failed to convert.
They ended up digging deep to come out with a slender 2-1 win.
Overall, Ndiraya thinks his men are doing well. “I think we have been doing good; the players have been good. Obviously in training they are encouraged by the result that we got in Gweru.
“It wasn’t an easy match; we had to dig deep for a result and I am glad that we got it, but, of course, after wasting so many chances.
“So, we have been working on that …
“You want to take your chances and then manage the game. It was a different case in Gweru: WhaWha gave us a very good match and that’s what we are expecting from Bulawayo City.”
He fears Bulawayo City might come to Harare buoyed by the new coach.
“This game is also a difficult match in the sense that they (Bulawayo City) have changed coaches. “There is now a new coach and normally when that happens, players tend to give it their all; they tend to be more energised and they want to prove something to the new coach.
“We are anticipating a very difficult match from Bulawayo City but it’s a match that we have prepared for and hopefully we can get a result.
“We have gone for eight matches now unbeaten and it’s our wish that we continue doing that. So the Bulawayo City match is no different; we want to get a good result.”
Defender Tino Muringai is still out with a knee injury, but left-back Brandon Mpofu was back at training last week.
He is, however, out of today’s match.
Ndiraya also warned his team to guard against complacency.
DeMbare play Highlanders in the Battle of Zimbabwe fixture at Barbourfields Stadium next weekend before hosting Herentals.
They conclude their first-half fixtures with the Harare Derby against CAPS United.
