TITLE-CHASING Manica Diamonds coach Jairosi Tapera admits his side will have to produce their best performance of the season this weekend if they are to maintain their perfect home record in the new season.
The Mutare-based side hosts unbeaten Dynamos at Sakubva Stadium, looking to make it three wins out of three matches at home.
Manica Diamonds have enjoyed home comforts in the two matches that they have played at home so far, beating Yadah and ZPC Kariba with an identical 1-0 scoreline.
But Tapera knows they will have to raise their game when they welcome an improved Dynamos side that beat reigning league champions Simba Bhora last week.
“It’s still early days, we have only played two games at home, but we are happy with how we have started and, of course, we want to continue playing well and maintain our good home form,” the Gem Boys mentor said.
“The season is still young as we have just played four games, but I’m encouraged with how the team is shaping up and excited for the future.”
The former Warriors head coach was in the terraces at Rufaro Stadium as Dynamos produced a professional performance to beat Simba Bhora and record their first victory of the season.
He noticed huge improvements from a Dynamos team that struggled in draws against ZPC Kariba, Herentals and TelOne.
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“Dynamos are turning out to be a very good team,” Tapera noted.
“In terms of their play, they have greatly improved.
“They are developing a character of never giving up easily.
“They are patient and have the belief that they will score.”
He added: “They are well structured, you could see they have a structure that they follow and it seems they have a clear plan of what they want to do.
“It’s going to be a very good game which, I hope, the supporters will enjoy.”
The home side will be without three of their key players, including two new signings who suffered injuries in their opening match against Yadah.
Defender Liberty Masvaure suffered a horrible fracture on his debut for Tapera’s team, while another new signing, the experienced Ransome Pavari, also failed to last the distance in his first game after joining from former league champions FC Platinum.
O’Neal Jera also picked up an injury in that game against Yadah, nicknamed the Miracle Boys, although he is expected to pass a late fitness test to feature against Dynamos.
“We are assessing Jera to see if he could be fit for the match, but the other two are definitely out,” Tapera said.
“It’s a blow for us because we just brought in those players to bolster our squad and now they could be out for a long time.
“But there is nothing we can do, except to wish them speedy recovery so that they can rejoin the rest of the team soon.”
The two teams are separated by a point on the log standings, with Manica Diamonds occupying fifth position with seven points, while Dynamos are a rung below with six points after four rounds of matches.
This fixture ended in a draw last season.
Matchday Five fixtures
Saturday: Manica Diamonds v Dynamos (Sakubva), Chicken Inn v Herentals (Luveve), Simba Bhora v TelOne (Wadzanayi), MWOS v ZPC Kariba (Baobab), Kwekwe United v FC Platinum (Bata), GreenFuel v Yadah (GreenFuel Arena), Scottland v Bikita Minerals (Rufaro).
Sunday: Triangle United v Highlanders (Gibbo), Caps United v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Rufaro)
