Chinyama passes test

in the Champions League group stages.
There has been considerable concern in the DeMbare camp over Chinyama’s fitness after the big forward was withdrawn early, as a precautionary measure, during the league match against Black Mambas at Rufaro on Sunday.
The Zimbabwe international, who has scored nine goals for the Glamour Boys in all competitions in the new season, including all three in the Champions League, was suffering from a groin strain.
Chinyama has turned into a sensation at DeMbare, since his move to the country’s biggest football club after a successful spell in Europe, and — with so much weighing on his shoulders — his availability for this game has become a very big issue.
Coach Callisto Pasuwa conceded, before the team left for this big assignment, that he was taking a big gamble because there were good chances that his star forward would not make it.
But DeMbare fans back home, and thousands spread across the world, will be cheered by the news that the big forward is fit to take his place in the starting XI against an Esperance side that won the Champions League title last year and represented Africa at the Fifa World Club Cup in December.
Dynamos doctor, Nathan Makanza, conducted further tests on Chinyama yesterday after the club’s first full training session since they arrived in this country on Wednesday and declared that the striker would be in good shape to face the Tunisians.
Chinyama’s imposing build makes him the right player for such continental club assignments, where size really matters, and where the on-field battles can be very tough with very little protection for visiting teams from the match officials.
While his strike partner, Rodreck Mutuma, finally scored for the first time since his golden goal won the Mbada Diamonds Cup against Motor Action at the National Sports Stadium in November last year, Chinyama remains the key man.
Despite dominating the media space back home — in a way hasn’t been seen since Evans Gwekwerere made his sensational debut for Dynamos in 2006 and went on an amazing scoring run — Chinyama is not being carried away by the Takemania show.
Maybe it’s because he is used to such publicity after wowing Polish journalists during his time at Legia Warsaw where he even became the first non-European player to win the Golden Boot in the Ekstaklasa.
Chinyama is not only making waves in Zimbabwe but his impact is also being felt across the Limpopo with his handlers revealing that there is a battle for his signature from South Africa’s top clubs before the start of the 2012/2013 Super Diski season.
Cuthbert Malajila, the man he replaced at Dynamos, is already making waves in South Africa after two massive goals against Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns   transformed him into a headline act.
The leading strikers in the South African Premiership this season, David Mathebula and Siyabonga Nomvethe, who play for Moroka Swallows, have just 11 goals each.
Chinyama told The Herald here yesterday that he understands that he carries the full weight of his side’s expectations tomorrow and pledged not to come short and disappoint the millions back home who are banking on his scoring instincts to make a difference.
The 29-year old striker said there was nothing to fear about the Tunisian giants despite their good record in Africa’s biggest inter-club tournament and the confidence gained by their triumph in last year’s tourney. Chinyama said the underdog status would suit Dynamos very well.
“I know quite a lot about our opponents. Esperance are a big side as they proved by winning the Champions League last season after several barren years,” said Chinyama.
“But I am not saying they are invincible because any team can crack when put under pressure.
“I watched several of their matches when I was playing in Europe, including their victory over Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in the African Champions League final, and I have also read a lot about them in magazines and newspapers.
“They are a team like any other in North Africa and I know our coaches have a good idea of their play and will not have many problems in planning for them.
“As for me, I am ready to do my best again if selected in the team and I am looking forward to Saturday.”
It’s a foregone conclusion that Chinyama will be spearheading Dynamos’ attack at the gigantic Rades Stadium tomorrow.
Dynamos coach, Pasuwa, concedes that Chinyama is a very influential member of his team.
“He is a complete footballer and his presence motivates his teammates,” said Pasuwa.
“If a ball comes through in the box and Takesure raises his head you can be sure as his name that it will be in the back of the net. He is that reliable.
“He is also someone who rises to the challenge and enjoys the big occasions. You do not see him fall unnecessarily from tackles or rough play, especially when he realises such a move will slow down an attack. He is quick to pick himself up and I think the other players are fast learning from his discipline.”