Chronicle Editor
Grace Chingoma in HARARE and Paul Mundandi in ZVISHAVANE
IT has all been about Devon Chafa this week but Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa has rallied on his troops to focus on their tricky BancABC Sup8r Cup semi-final against Shabanie at Barbourfields tomorrow.Pasuwa wants his men to change gear and move into a no-nonsense business mood, starting tomorrow, and is calling for them to write headlines with their performance on the pitch.
The champions have won all the major tournaments they have battled for since Pasuwa took over as coach.
“We have been discussing it at training the whole week. This is now the second half of the season and all the teams are now the same and it is difficult to beat them,” said Pasuwa.
“Our mindset cost us at times as we go into battle with a relaxed mind and these teams they come really prepared for us.
“So we have to fight and proceed to the next round.
“BancABC is very important to us. We haven’t been playing so it is good for us that we have game time.
“And there is also good prize money. We also need to win the Cup and add to our cabinet.
“We need to win and we have been preaching this to players and trying to motivate them.”
Dynamos boosted their squad during the transfer window by acquiring a number of players.
“Victor Kamhuka, Oscar Machapa and Marere (Benjamin) are still working on their fitness but are available for selection. Maybe one or two of the new players will play,” said Pasuwa.
“We respect them (Shabanie). They beat Chicken Inn, one of the teams that is playing well in the Premiership. Players such as Maroto (Norman) are seasoned players and will have a point to prove.
“They might say they are the underdogs and we are the league champions but we know we have to put 120 percent effort if we are to win this match,” said Pasuwa.
Midfielder Chafa, who has been making headlines the whole week, is also expected to be in the thick of action with the club throwing their full support behind him.
Shabanie coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere says his team has the right spirit to compete against the giants tomorrow.
“Shabanie Mine is broke and we are struggling financially but that does not mean we are a small team.
“Shabanie is a big team and on Sunday afternoon two big teams will be playing at Barbourfields and the match is going to be explosive.
“In 2005 Dynamos were nearly relegated from the Premiership and does that mean they are a small team? If a team is facing financial difficulties are they a small team? There are small teams in the Premiership but not Shabanie.
“If anybody out there needs to know the teams I am ready to say out their names,” said Masomere.
The football festival in Bulawayo, with both games starting at 2pm, gets underway today when FC platinum take on Monomotapa.
“We are going to win the match tomorrow (this afternoon) and I am not afraid of a team called Monomotapa,” said FC Platinum forward, Nelson Maziwisa.
“They beat FC Platinum at home last season and it’s a pity that I was not with FC Platinum.
“I was with Shabanie Mine and two weeks after their victory I scored a brace against them in a league match and this afternoon I hope to repeat the same feat.”
“They are not a bad side but the truth is we are going to win.
“We want the trophy and we are already preparing to meet the winner between Dynamos and Shabanie Mine.
“I hope I will be the tournament top goalscorer and if I fail I hope one of my teammates will scoop the award.”
With four national team players in Charles Sibanda, Ali Sadiki, Donald Ngoma and Maziwisa upfront, they have the potency to get goals.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean they will roll over a Monoz side that has been disappointing this season but remains a very tricky team to play against.
The Harare side has been boosted by the return of star midfielder, Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo, who could prove the difference, if he finds his rhythm, in what could be an exciting contest.
Online Reporter