Dynamos Football Club is facing an uncertain future as star midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa’s availability hangs in the balance due to a back injury. The team is gearing up for a crucial Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Ngezi Platinum at the National Sports Stadium. Shandirwa’s injury was incurred during his time with the Warriors’ training camp. Coach Genesis Mangombe expressed his concern about the situation but remained optimistic about the team’s overall readiness for the game.
“Shandirwa has got a back pain following an injury sustained in the Warriors’ training camp. We have a light training session this afternoon where we will check on him if he will be fit for tomorrow’s game but otherwise everyone else is ready for the game,” Mangombe said. The upcoming match carries significant weight for Dynamos, who are determined to stay in the hunt for the championship. Their recent performance has been less than stellar, with two winless games, making this fixture a must-win.
“We will play our usual game, but we are playing under a bit of pressure. We have two games without a win, and we need to win this one at all costs and maybe that will boost our confidence also in the Chibuku Super Cup. Ngezi Platinum have been doing well, upsetting a lot of teams. To be champions, you can’t be dropping points in easier games like what we have been doing. I need to psyche up the boys. If we win this one and make sure we win the game in hand then we stand a chance to compete but that goes for every team that is in the top four including FC Platinum and Highlanders,” Mangombe emphasized.
Ngezi Platinum, however, maintains a different perspective. Coach Takesure Chiragwi, while recognizing their strong performance, remains focused on the long-term development of the team. “We are not concerned about our position on the log, I have said this repeatedly. We play competitions to win, but more importantly, we want to develop a culture here. That is exactly what we are working on, to build a team that will compete well next year and the following year going forward. This is the time to make sure that we build a team that will compete in the future,” Chiragwi stated.
In other league fixtures, second-placed FC Platinum, with 46 points, will host Black Rhinos at Mandava, while Highlanders, also with 46 points, face a challenging away game against Green Fuel in Chisumbanje. Both FC Platinum and Highlanders encountered setbacks in their previous matches. FC Platinum suffered a loss to ZPC Kariba, and Highlanders were held to a goalless draw by Cranborne Bullets.
Manica Diamonds, with 43 points and a game in hand against Dynamos, will play Yadah at Baobab in their upcoming fixture. As the stage is set for these matches, the race for the championship intensifies. Football enthusiasts can expect an exciting battle among these top teams vying for the ultimate prize.
Source: [Newsday Zimbabwe]
