Veronica Gwaze Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS vice-captain, Emmanuel Jalai, is aware of the precarious position the Glamour Boys find themselves in but feels they could start their redemption exercise against Bikita Minerals at Sakubva this afternoon.
After three games, DeMbare are one of only seven teams yet to win in the 2024 Castle Lager Premiership campaign.
And Jalai, who has been in fine form this season and is still celebrating making the Warriors squad for the recent Four Nations Cup, believes it’s time to start winning games.
“Whenever you are playing consistently and performing well you will be expecting a national team call-up and I finally got one, which came as a huge motivation and inspiration for me,” he told Zimpapers Sport.
“It was a great deal of exposure for our defence, mixing with the guys who play in Europe and we got to learn a lot and, since we got back, our confidence level is quite high.
“Three of our back players were on national duty; this is something that should help us in a big way and judging by the way we played against Yadah, I am sure most of our battles will be won at the back.”
Jalai believes that pressure from fans will help them to find their rhythm.
“It has not been a good start for us but we have to take it. This is a game of points and, for such a big team to be with two points at this stage, is not good.
“We are hoping to start picking up points so that we avoid unnecessary pressure in the future.”
Dynamos coach, Genesis ‘Kaka’ Mangombe, who is under pressure to deliver, said it will be very tough playing away from home against a team that has had an impressive start to their debut Premiership season.
Mangombe has in the past banked on his midfield, which boasted of the likes of Donald Mudadi and Tanaka Shandirwa, but he will have to find a way to win without the duo this afternoon.
The two players did not travel with the team to Mutare as they are nursing injuries and they join captain, Frank Makarati, on the sidelines.
“One of our biggest shortcomings against Yadah was not scoring goals; our front line was not alert to the chances they got and in the short time we had after the game, we tried to look into that.”