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Harare Bureau
DYNAMOS midfielder Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo says the Harare giants are aiming to get a big win against AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the first leg of the Champions League first round qualifier at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.The Zimbabwe champions, who admitted little knowledge of their opponents, will be out in search of the goals to take to Kinshasa for the return leg next week in their quest for a place in the mini-league this year.
Chitiyo however, believes they have a tough afternoon awaiting them, judging by AS Vita Club’s history in the Caf inter-club competition. AS Vita edged Nigerian side Kano Pillars 4-3 in the preliminary round while DeMbare were winning comfortably 4-1 against Mochudi Centre Chiefs of Botswana.
Chitiyo yesterday told The Herald that it was important for Dynamos to make the most of home advantage, after drawing crucial lessons from their previous assignment against Chiefs of Botswana.
The skilful midfielder, who made his Champions League debut in their first match at home when they beat Chiefs 3-0, was on target in the return leg in Botswana but his effort was cancelled out as they were forced to a 1-1 draw. Chityo has been a consistent performer so far and hopes to continue with his good form.
“I think one big lesson I got from my first two matches is that in these tournaments you have to win at home because you don’t really know what you are going to come up against when you go to play away.
“So I am saying we should make use of home advantage. Our supporters should come in big numbers because the atmosphere they create is always a big motivator to the players.
“It’s important that we must utilise our chances at home so that there won’t be pressure when we go there for the return leg. What we want in this match is to win by a big margin and try to make sure that they don’t score here,” said Chitiyo.
AS Vita Club are expected to arrive this morning around 11:00am aboard Kenya Airways and will have a feel of the match venue late in the afternoon. The Black Dolphins are experienced in the inter-club competitions and have a strong squad which includes seven players who were part of the DRC side that reached the quarterfinals of the CHAN tournament recently.
The players Chikito Lema, Mubele Ndombe, Luvumbu Nzinga, Herve Lomboto, Lusadisu Basisila, Patou Ebunga and Thierry Kasereka have just returned from the tournament and their presence in the team should be a huge boost.
“I understand AS Vita have experience in this competition so we are looking forward to some tough competition from them. Generally we should lift our game a gear up. The fact that they managed to progress from the preliminary round against big opponents like Pillars means they are a very good side,” said Chitiyo.
Dynamos moved their preparations to the National Sports Stadium yesterday and coach Callisto Pasuwa was happy with his squad, although he was a little disappointed that midfielder Walter Mukanga will not be available for selection with a groin injury.
Pasuwa wants his charges to improve their finishing, which appeared to be their Achilles’ heel even in their last friendly match against Buffaloes at the weekend.
The DeMbare coaches invested most of their time and energies to work on their strikeforce this week as they need to mine goals enough to give them a significant advantage ahead of the return leg.
However Pasuwa has limited options upfront as he only has three strikers registered for the Champions League competition. But the side is not short of attack-minded players who are also expected to play a big role in the quest for goals.
“We are doing finishing touches in terms of our movements going forward. By tomorrow (today) everything should be in place,” said Pasuwa. “It’s always good to take advantage of playing at home. We need goals, we need to be offensive enough to get the goals coming. We just need to work on the strikers that we have and try to give them confidence. As a team we need to be focused.”
Meanwhile, national supporters’ liaison officer Simeon Jamanda has called on Zimbabweans irrespective of the teams they support to rally behind the country’s representatives in three international assignments this week.
Jamanda said Dynamos, How Mine and the national women’s soccer team needed the backing to raise the country’s flag high. How Mine will host ASSM Elgeco Plus of Madagascar in the first round of the Confederation Cup at Barbourfields tomorrow while the Mighty Warriors face Botswana in the return leg of the African Women Championship qualifiers at Rufaro on Sunday.
“We are encouraging all soccer-loving people to enjoy this weekend’s football fiesta by attending in big numbers. We are grateful to Dynamos for charging low rates and let’s reciprocate this good move by trying our best to fill the giant stadium so that the team really feels at home.
“Let’s help take our teams to a higher level. Football has power to change and its power to unite is also immense so we really need to rally behind our teams, including the Mighty Warriors on Sunday, as we seek to unite as a nation,” said Jamanda.
Online Reporter