DYNAMOS coach Lloyd Chigowe has said his team are banking on Chibuku Super Cup title defence to help redeem what has been a below-par season.
DeMbare slipped out of the title matrix earlier than they would have liked and are now in a fight for a top-four finish.
The former league champions produced an outstanding performance to stun FC Platinum at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday to boost their chances of finishing in the top four.
Dynamos moved to seventh on the log with 44 points, three behind Highlanders who sit fourth, although they have a game in hand.
Their win also probably snuffed out any lingering hopes of FC Platinum winning the league title this term as they now trail log leaders Simba Bhora by nine points, with three matches remaining.
The Shamva-based side will clinch the league title if they avoid a defeat at relegated Arenel Movers tomorrow.
Chigowe admitted his disappointment to see his side fighting for crumbs, but feels that they have a good chance to redeem themselves by retaining the Chibuku Super Cup.
Dynamos will square off with last year’s losing finalists Ngezi Platinum in the final set for November 20 at Rufaro Stadium, with the winner representing the country in the Caf Confederation Cup tournament next season.
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“We need to finish on a respectable position,” Chigowe said.
“The position we are on right now is not good for Dynamos. We will push to try and make sure that we are in the top four or go up as far as possible.
“But at the end of the day, we all know what the real bonanza is . . . the Chibuku Super Cup, otherwise all these other things we are just running towards a wooden spoon so the Cup is our ultimate objective.”
Chigowe was happy with his players’ performance although he singled out the returning Ansa Botchway, who played his first match after recovering from a long-term injury.
The Ghanaian was thrown into the starting 11 and was a sea of calm in midfield as he dictated both pace and the tempo of the game.
Chigowe feels that had Botchway been fit, Dynamos could have had a better run in the league and in this season’s Caf Confédération Cup, where they crashed out in the first round.
“Ansa is quality and he has always been like that. We missed him, even during the Confédération Cup, we thought he could have recovered by then, but well, he has come back and we welcome him back into the fold.”
Chigowe would be looking for a similar five-star performance they dished out against FC Platinum when they travel to ZPC Kariba tomorrow.
Matchday 32 fixtures
Tomorrow: Arenel Movers v Simba Bhora (Luveve), GreenFuel v Hwange (GreenFuel Arena), Bikita Minerals v Highlanders (Sakubva), ZPC Kariba v Dynamos (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Bulawayo Chiefs (Mandava), Herentals v Chegutu Pirates (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Barbourfields)
Thursday: Manica Diamonds v Yadah (Sakubva), Caps United v TelOne (Rufaro)
