DYNAMOS can close the gap to Highlanders to three points on Wednesday with victory over struggling FC Platinum in a re-arranged fixture at Rufaro.

The champions trail Highlanders by six points, but they can draw level with wins over FC Platinum and a second outstanding fixture – a replay at a neutral venue – with Hwange.

But the Zvishavane club, runners up last season, have slid to seventh place – some 14 points off the pace under new coach Tendai Chikuni.

FC Platinum secretary Phil Muvengwa admitted on Tuesday that there was a shift in their ambitions for the remainder of the season.

"Unless there is a miracle, we don’t stand a chance [of winning the league] right now. We just have to be patient and try winning a couple of games but I think that chance is now slim. We are gunning for the top four and the Mbada Diamonds Cup," he said.

Muvengwa said the team’s supporters were “definitely not impressed” by the team’s poor run. Platinum, who are bankrolled by Mimosa Platinum Mine, have the biggest budget of any team in the league.

Muvengwa predicted that the fact they were no longer in the running for the league title, despite their impressive squad, made them a unique threat to Dynamos who know any slip-up will be for Highlanders’ benefit.

“I think now that we are not under any pressure, we stand a good chance to surprise Dynamos," Muvengwa said, speaking by telephone from Zvishavane.

The club’s executives have faced accusations that they meddle with team selection, and fans have been demanding to know what role Bulawayo-based businessman Worth Mugabe – a part sponsor – has at the club.

Muvengwa denies interference with selection, insisting: “We have never ever done that since the days of the late Benjamin Moyo, Gumbo and now Chikuni. There is no way the executive can select the team. The coach always has that freedom to choose who to play or not who to play.”