HARARE - Dynamos defender Thomas Magorimbo has challenged his teammates to use the Independence Cup final against FC Platinum this afternoon to lift their shattered spirits.
The two clubs clash at National Sports Stadium this afternoon, both coming into the tie their confidence in tatters after miserable performances last weekend.
The Harare giants suffered an embarrassing 1-0 home loss at the hands of Castle Premiership debutants ZPC Kariba at home, having also opened the season with a less that convincing 1-0 win over How Mine.
Platinum, on the other hand, blew a 2-0 lead at home against Hwange to lose 3-2. They are winless in the first two games of the season, having started with a draw against Chiredzi.
Pressure has been brought to bear on the clubs’ coaches, Dynamos’ Calisto Pasuwa and Lloyd Mutasa of Platinum.
Pasuwa was booed off the National Sports Stadium by a section of the club’s supporters after his strikers wasted various chances for the better part of the game but Magorimbo believes today’s match will mark a turnaround.
"I am convinced we have the potential to win the cup, but we will need to be at our best against FC Platinum because it’s a very good side,” Magorimbo told the Daily News yesterday.
“We are ready for the match, winning the cup will give our fans joy and it would probably win back the confidence of the players. We never want to lose, but things do not always go your way. TAhis match is a must win for us.
“We are winners and we want to win every competition we play in.”
Platinum coach Mutasa will also banking on today’s game to silence the alarm bells that have been ringing.
A former Dynamos midfielder, Mutasa was appointed last year to take over from Tenant Chilumba, who quit the club and returned to his native Zambia in controversial circumstances.
Meanwhile, Highlanders and Harare City will play in the third-place play-off at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.
The Bulawayo giants started their season with a goalless draw against league returnees Chapungu in the opening weekend before responding with an emphatic 4-1 win over Shabanie Mine last weekend.
And after losing their opening two matches of the Castle Premiership, Harare City coach Bigboy Mawiwi will need a positive response from his boys. Mawiwi is also starring down the barrel early in the season and is tipped to become the first coach in the top-flight league to get the sack.
The winners of this year’s final will pocket $15 000, while the runners-up getting $10 000.
The winner in the match between Highlanders and Harare City will receive $7 000 the losing team $5 000.