Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Mtulisi Mafa
7 November 2009
Harare — HARARE giants Dynamos will have to clear one of their toughest hurdles -- a fierce battle against Highlanders at Barbourfields tomorrow -- to keep alive their quest to win what has turned into an explosive race for the CBZ Premiership title.
Elvis Chiweshe and his men would have preferred an easier opponent than their bitter rivals as they resume their championship campaign after a three-week break that came with the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup.
DeMbare have a one-point lead at the top of the Premiership table over a Gunners' side coached by one of the club's greatest sons Moses Chunga.
The Gunners have fought hard and long, to be in this position at this late stage of the campaign, and there are a number of neutrals who will celebrate should Chunga and his men win the race.
They face an easier tie, at home to Highway at Gwanzura tomorrow, but after that it will all be uphill with tough games against Dynamos, Monomotapa and Lengthens waiting for them.
DeMbare welcome back four players who were with the Warriors who won the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup, including Cuthbert Malajila, who won the Golden Boot after his four goals fired the national team to victory in the regional tournament.
Interestingly Malajila spent last season wearing the Highlanders colours and his goals will be a key factor if Dynamos are going to win in the City of Kings tomorrow and keep alive their dreams of championship glory.
There was some disturbing news from the DeMbare camp this week when it emerged that there appeared to be a boardroom battle, simmering within the team's executive, which had also sucked in the players.
However, it appears that the club's leadership have buried their differences -- for the sake of the league championship campaign -- and Dynamos and their fans will be hoping to get all three points in the City of Kings tomorrow.
Coach Elvis Chiweshe came under immense pressure, just before the break for the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup, and even quit his post following violent disturbances at Rufaro in the wake of a defeat at the hands of Lengthens.
But he was persuaded to return to the fold and this week he said that his men were focussed on winning the championship.
"I don't have any problems with my players. I do not run the club, I run the team because as head of the technical department I am in charge of Dynamos Football Club, which means I am responsible for the results on the field," said Chiweshe.
"The only time I was involved with off-field events was when I went to collect the players' salaries and incentives from the sponsors and I am happy that since then my players are high in spirits and have been training well.
"I want also to make it clear that it would be unfair to try and drag the technical team into the boardroom problems. I am not interested in any fights for power at Dynamos and I have never attended any meetings.
"I think we are still in shape and we just need to continue from where we left off when the league went on a break.
"At the moment the only minor worry is Brighton Tuwaya but he should be okay by the time we go to Barbourfields."
Chiweshe conceded that the last four games would be tough.
"We know that it is not going to be easy because at this stage, nobody wants to drop points, some are fighting relegation and others are fighting to finish in a good position.
"But we have to give it our best shot every time and remain focussed."
Chunga has demanded that his players remain disciplined and focussed.
"Normally, I worry about how we are going to apply ourselves because I believe we can only be our worst enemies," said Chunga.
"We have always preached to the players the gospel of discipline so that whatever we do in life, we have to work with minimum supervision and that means everyone has to understand their obligations and the objectives of the club.
"I am sure with that gospel, everyone has remained focused on the job at hand."
Bosso might have had an average season and they were soundly whipped 0-4 on their visit to the capital by Dynamos with Malajila running riot.
But, in their backyard, Bosso are a different team and there have been signs, in recent weeks, that they are finding their feet.
Give them a tie against Dynamos and you are certainly going to see the best of Bosso and that is why, whichever way you look at this game, it is a tricky one for the Glamour Boys.
Bosso skipper Zephania Ngodzo returns to Highlanders after three weeks with the Warriors during the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup.
But it is a sign of how Highlanders have lost their touch that while CAPS United provided six players to the Warriors and DeMbare provided four, Bosso only had one who was a substitute.
Gunners will welcome back the inspirational Ramson Zhuwawo who was with the Warriors but it is the goal-scoring exploits of Norman Maroto and the service of Ali Sadiki that could provide the key.
On the surface it looks like a two-horse race.
But that is far from reality.
CAPS United have had an indifferent season littered with inconsistency but there is no denying the fact that they are in cruise control though it could be too late to offer a challenge for the league championship.
The Harare giants have been in devastating form in recent weeks and they face Lengthens at Rufaro tomorrow hoping to ink a surprise piece of history by sneaking in to finish as champions.
The title race has focused on league leaders Dynamos and second placed Gunners, who are in a very good position to win the league.
It's an interesting equation as CAPS United, given their imperious form and confidence, have a real chance should either one or both of the leading duo drop points.
CAPS United are eight points in arrears but have a game in hand over their rivals with only four games to go for the rest of the pile.
When you look at the Premiership table, it's difficult to give CAPS United a chance of winning the league given the gap that separates them and the leading clubs Dynamos and Gunners with a few games left in the season
But defiance runs through the veins of the Green Machine fans and it's difficult for anyone to dismiss their belief when they throw calculators into the equation.
CAPS United have grabbed all the bragging rights in the capital, they seem to have everything and they had six players in the Warriors staring line-up in the 3-1 defeat of Zambia in the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup at Rufaro last weekend
They have arguably the best striker in the land in Nyasha Mushekwi, whose brace sank the Zambians on that glorious afternoon, and their goalminder Edmore Sibanda was voted the Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
But it's not only the league title that is up for grabs because there is also a Champions League slot for the team that finishes second in the league.
Lengthens have their eyes on that spot and the Happy People never give up in any fight.
They have had a great season with the highlight of their existence being the BancABC Sup8r Cup success.
They know too well that a win over CAPS United could leave them in better space and in Artwell "Tuhwe" Nyamiwa, they have a deadly weapon.
Nyamiwa has been a revelation this season, a talented striker who has made his presence felt.
The Happy People's manager, Robert Matoka, still remains defiant and insisted that his team is not giving up on the title race just yet.
"We want to collect maximum points and we are declaring war on CAPS United. We haven't given up on the title race because we have got an outside chance of winning the league so we are not throwing in the towel as yet.
"CAPS United had the majority of players in the Warriors during Cosafa so we want to prove that we are also good enough and our players also deserve a call-up to the national team," said Matoka.
Action starts this afternoon with Motor Action taking on Njube Sundowns in a relegation battle at Callies.
The Mighty Bulls are in real danger of going down and they need nothing short of victory if they are to survive.
What's interesting is that Sundowns desperately need to win all the three points on offer.
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