Zimpapers Logo

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO City skipper Xolisani Moyo is confident that they can upset former Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Dynamos whom they face at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.

Moyo said morale in his camp is high despite going into the match smarting from a 1-2 loss to Caps United.

The defensive midfielder who is a vital cog in City’s squad said playing a big club like Dynamos is “self motivating” and what is important is for his teammates to stick to the coach’s plan.

“Obviously we’re prepared for this game and to be honest we believe that all the teams in the league are equal. Dynamos are older than us and playing such teams with great history motivates players. Even at training the players tend to go an extra mile when preparing for such a big match and a plus is that the guys are all in high spirits. We respect Dynamos just like any other opponents but we will try our best to get a positive result,” said Moyo.

City are on position 10 with 14 points and victory today will see them being on same points with Dynamos who are on position five with 17 points.

Moyo is aware of the danger that Dynamos pose following their three consecutive wins against Chapungu, Ngezi Platinum and Harare City.

“They’re enjoying good form and what’s important is for us to make sure that we don’t concede an early goal. Whenever you’re playing against an opponent like Dynamos you’ve to concentrate throughout the match and be tactically disciplined. We’ve been unlucky in our last matches because we do create chances but fail to utilise them. We just have to get that break and who knows, it might come this weekend,” Moyo said.

Dynamos’ last defeat was on May 28 when they lost 0-2 to Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium.

Today’s visit to Bulawayo is Dynamos’ third of the season, and in their earlier trips DeMbare lost 0-3 to Chicken Inn and beat Tsholotsho FC 1-0.

City will bank on seasoned players like Moyo, Mkhokheli Dube, Manuel Mandiranga and Sipho Dube who is in his debut PSL season.

They also have players like utility player Lewis Ncube, left back Brian Chikwenya, central defender Zibusiso Sibanda, midfield quartet of Innocent Kutsanzira, Welcome Ndiweni, Mandiranga and Eddie Nkulungo capable of leading them to maximum points.

Dynamos are no pushovers. Backed by their vociferous fans they can be a dangerous lot.

City should pay close attention to Dynamos’ attacking youngsters King Nasama and Kudzanai Nyakasaka as well as their player of the moment Masimba Mambare.

Goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva who spent four days attending trials at South Africa’s Maritzburg United, defenders Augustine Mbara and Sydney Linyama, midfielders Stephen Alimenda and Godknows Murwira are some of the players expected to drive Dynamos.

A big turnout is expected as City have maintained the gate charges for the big game. Entry into the stadium is pegged at $3 for rest of the ground, $5 for the VIP wings and $10 for the VIP.

Fixtures

Today: ZPC Kariba v Chapungu (Nyamhunga), Bulawayo City v Dynamos (Barbourfields), How Mine v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Luveve)

Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Border Strikers v Harare City (Dulivhadzimu), Triangle United v Tsholotsho FC (Gibbo), Mutare City Rovers v FC Platinum (Sakubva), Caps United v Hwange (National Sports Stadium)

Table

P W D L F A GD Pts

Highlanders 11 8 2 1 20 6 14 26

Caps United 11 7 3 1 17 8 9 24

FC Platinum 10 7 2 1 13 4 9 23

ZPC Kariba 11 6 3 2 14 9 5 21

Dynamos 11 5 2 4 9 9 0 17

Triangle United 11 4 4 3 10 10 0 16

Harare City 11 4 3 4 14 10 4 15

Chicken Inn 10 4 2 4 10 7 3 14

How Mine 11 3 5 3 11 11 0 14

Bulawayo City 11 3 5 3 10 11 -1 14

Hwange 11 4 2 5 7 11 -4 14

Chapungu 11 2 5 4 10 13 -3 11

Ngezi Platinum 11 3 2 6 10 14 -4 11

Mutare City 11 3 0 8 7 20 -13 9

Tsholotsho 11 2 2 7 6 12 -6 8

Border Strikers 11 1 0 10 2 15 -13 3