Beleaguered Harare giants Dynamos will be hoping to overcome their in-house challenges and claim a huge victory over four time champions FC Platinum at Mandava this afternoon.
Fissures in the Glamour Boys' camp were exposed in their 2-1 home win over newcomers Arenel FC on Thursday.
Fans turned against under fire coach Genesis Mahombe and demanded his ouster amid reports that the protests were sponsored from within the club leadership.
The match against FC Platinum may decide the fate of Mangombe at the helm of the country's most successful club.
However, Dynamos will be buoyed by the fact that they were awarded the points from their abandoned match against Chegutu Pirates, a development which saw them move into sixth place after 13 games.
Interestingly, the match pitting Dynamos and FC Platinum have played five consecutive goalless draws in the last five matches.
Dynamos was the last team to win this tie when they claimed a narrow 1-0 at Mandava in June 2019 at Mandava while FC Platinum have not beaten Dynamos since September 2018.
FC Platinum Stars coach Norman Mapedza remains wary of the threat posed by DeMbare.
- Divided Dembare visit Mandava
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"We are going to play Dynamos and Dynamos will be Dynamos whether they are doing well or they are having some challenges. They have a huge fan base all over the country. When they come here they will come to win the game. They have been playing some good football, but I am more than happy with our preparations and our main focus was the Dynamos game," he said.
FC Platinum, who are looking to reclaim the title which they lost to Ngezi Platinum last season, will be missing the services of Shepherd Mhlanga and goalkeeper Wallace Magalane who are injured.
Mangombe on the other hand, had to work to help his players focus on the game rather than the events happening around the club.
"It’s going to be a tall order because when you think you are a family, then in the same family there are branches there, it means you need to make sure that these guys (the players) are psyched up mentally.
“You tell them you have to play football whatever the situation because at times it is going to be difficult when your own supporter is singing against you, when you are winning and at the same time you are leading 2-0, then they are singing against you," he said.
Today' Fixtures
CAPS Utd v Simba Bhora (Rufaro), Arenel Movers v Bulawayo Chiefs (Luveve), FC Platinum v Dynamos (Mandava), Manica Diamonds v Hwange (Sakubva), GreenFuel v Highlanders (GreenFuel Arena)
