DYNAMOS coach Herbert Maruwa has warned his team not to underestimate Sheasham when the two teams collide at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday as the Harare giants look to maintain their 100% start to their league campaign.
Despite going into the game as clear favourites after an impressive opening win last weekend, Maruwa is not taking the promoted side for granted.
DeMbare beat Hwange 1-0, while Sheasham held Chicken Inn to a goalless draw on Match Day 1.
Maruwa is understandably delighted over how his team hit the ground running on his first competitive game in charge, but wants his stars to keep their feet on the ground.
“We are preparing the players mentally because some of them might think it's going to be an easy match after beating Hwange away from home,” Maruwa said at a Press conference yesterday.
“They might think Sheasham is going to be a walk over, but we are trying to tell them games are not the same.”
Dynamos created a number of chances against the coalminers, and before Tinashe Makanda's solitary strike late in the match, they had wasted numerous chances after hitting the woodwork three times.
“We need to improve our finishing in front of goal. We got a lot of chances in Bulawayo which we missed, but it's part of the game. We are working on that and we continue encouraging the players to try and take the chances,” Maruwa said.
- Mangwiro not panicking despite looming relegation battle
- DeMbare ride their luck
- Herentals, Yadah FC share spoils
- Caps, Tenax share spoils
Keep Reading
The two teams faced each other not so long ago in a friendly match ahead of the start of the new season, which Dynamos narrowly won 1-0.
Skipper Frank Makarati scored a late winner in the preparatory match that was played in Gweru.
Maruwa is well aware of the huge task ahead of his team this weekend.
The Gweru-based side proved their mantle after holding last season's runners up Chicken Inn to a draw in their maiden premier league match played at Mandava Stadium.
“Sheasham is a very good team and this will be a very tough match. We played them a month ago and it wasn't an easy match and so we expect a tough match,” Maruwa added.
He expects all his playing charges to be available for the clash against the league minnows.
New striker, Nyasha Chintuli did not feature last weekend because of a problem with his registration.
But the coach expects the on-loan striker to be available this weekend.
Midfielder Donald Mudadi, who partnered the exciting Tanaka “Kante” Shandirwa in bossing the midfield against Hwange, sat out of training yesterday, but the coach said it's not something to worry about.
“So far so good in terms of our preparations. The team is in good shape. We don’t have any injuries, except for the issue of registration for some players which I think will be sorted by the end of this week. Otherwise the team is in good spirits and my hope is to continue with the way we played in Bulawayo.
“The win against Hwange was a morale booster. After playing a number of friendlies, the win gave us an indication that we are in the right direction,” Maruwa added.
PSL Weekend fixtures
Tomorrow: Ngezi Platinum Stars v Caps United (Baobab), FC Platinum v Cranborne Bullets
(Mandava), Chicken Inn v Simba Bhora (Luveve), Black Rhinos v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium), Green Fuel v Herentals (Gibbo)
Sunday: Dynamos v Sheasham (National Sports Stadium), Manica Diamonds v Triangle
(Gibbo), Yadah v Hwange (Baobab)
Monday: ZPC Kariba v Bulawayo Chiefs (National Sports Stadium)
