DYNAMOS coach Genesis Mangombe believes his side must be flawless between now and the end of the season for them to entertain any hopes of winning the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title.
The Harare giants are fifth on the log standings with 39 points, nine behind log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars, with as many rounds of matches remaining.
That gap is likely to be cut to six if Dynamos are awarded three points from their abandoned match against Highlanders, which would see Mangombe’s men move into third position.
Speaking to NewsDay Sport ahead of his team’s trip to Triangle tomorrow, the former Yadah coach wants his team to focus on winning all their remaining league matches, starting with tomorrow’s encounter.
“If we win this game on Thursday (tomorrow), then our hopes of winning the championship are bright again,” Mangombe said.
“We are not far away from the leading teams so we need to keep picking maximum points. We still have a chance to win the league title, but the only way we can do that is to try to win all our remaining games.”
DeMbare have struggled for consistency so far, failing to string three league wins in a row.
They came agonisingly close to achieve that feat a fortnight ago, only to be stunned 2-1 by Bulawayo Chiefs.
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“We need to be consistent,” Mangombe stressed.
“We have been telling the boys that you can even go on a 10-match winning streak if you are serious with winning the league. Sometimes we concede from silly mistakes, like we did against Bulawayo Chiefs. Our defence did a lot of mistakes which we don't expect at this level and especially from some senior members of the squad. We need to make sure we collect points when playing against these so called small teams.”
Triangle have proved to be Dynamos’ bogey side in recent seasons.
DeMbare’s last two visits to Gibbo Stadium all ended in defeats, while Triangle managed to pick goalless draws in their last two trips to Harare.
“We anticipate a tough game for so many reasons. We are playing a team in the relegation zone, fighting for their lives. Number two, we have been struggling to beat Triangle, be it in Harare or away so we will be out to do our best and change that. Then also the temperatures in Triangle are not conducive this time of the year, so will be up against a lot of factors. The good thing is that everyone is ready, and fighting to be in the first 11. Because of that competition, the squad is strong.”
Mangombe is returning to take charge of the team after missing the trip to FC Platinum Stars in the Chibuku Super Cup quarterfinal as he was away on national duty.
Midfield duo of Tanaka “Kante” Shandirwa and Donald Mudadi also missed last week’s game due to national team commitments.
But their absence was barely missed as the Harare giants produced one of their best performances of the season as they forced a 1-1 draw in regulation time before emerging victorious after a penalty shootout.
Mangombe did not, however, give any guarantees on Kante and Mudadi’s straight return to the starting lineup tomorrow.
Matchday 25 fixtures
Today: Herentals v Chicken Inn (National Sports Stadium), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Black Rhinos (Baobab), Manica Diamonds v Fc Platinum (Gibbo), Caps United v Yadah (Bata), Highlanders v Sheasham (Barbourfields), Zpc Kariba v GreenFuel (Nyamhunga).
Tomorrow: Triangle v Dynamos (Gibbo), Bulawayo Chiefs v Hwange (Luveve).
