Football
Simba Mushati, Special to ESPN 7y

Preview: Resurgent Dynamos face Tsholotsho test

Dynamos will look to prolong their return to form when they visit Beitbridge for a clash against bottom-placed Tsholotsho in the Zimbabwe Premier League on Saturday.

The former champions go into the encounter on the back of a two-match winning run, which has spared them the embarrassment of hovering perilously close to the relegation zone.

The Harare giants now sit eighth in the standings with 14 points from nine matches, 11 behind high-flying log leaders Ngezi Platinum, who have played two games more.

Dynamos are heavily favoured to collect full points against a winless Tsholotsho team, who look firmly on course for a record of a different kind after a run of seven straight losses, but complacency could be the biggest enemy for Lloyd Mutasa's troops.

The former Dynamos midfielder himself remains wary of the dangers posed by small teams, who always find some extra motivation when coming up against the league's traditional standard bearers.

"We have to be aware that any team that plays Dynamos would give their very best, so we should be prepared to give it our all if we are to emerge with a positive result," Mutasa told KweséESPN.

Tsholotsho this week parted ways with coach Farai Tawachera, perhaps inevitably, with former Gunners coach Darlington Dodo taking over.

And while Dodo will be angling for a winning start, Mutasa is fully aware that any setback could knock his team's confidence, something he can barely afford after coming close to getting the sack in the wake of their poor start the campaign.

Two wins in four days over Harare City (1-0) and ZPC Kariba (3-1) have lifted the mood at Dynamos, with Mutasa deriving particular satisfaction from the fact that four different players were on the score sheet over the two matches.

Cameroonian import Christian Ntouba scored a beautiful volley as Dynamos laboured to overcome City, while Emmanuel Mandiranga, Denver Mukamba, and Quality Kangadze were on target to tear Kariba apart.

"It is very positive when you get goals from different players because it enhances the chances of the team to progress, unlike when you are depending on just one or two players. It is a very good sign for us," Mutasa said.

Ntouba misses the trip to Beitbridge with a shoulder injury, along with midfielder Masimba Mambare, who has knee problems.

The emergence of Ngezi Platinum, Kariba, and Black Rhinos as genuine title contenders this season means Dynamos cannot afford to lose more ground in the title race, although Mutasa welcomes the increased competition.

"I think it is good for football to see teams like Rhinos and Ngezi doing well. It can only but improve the league standards. But it is every team's dream to get involved in the title race and for our part we hope to revive our season going forward," Mutasa said.

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