adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE giants Dynamos will step up their preparations for the Champions League this week when they engage Premiership soccer returnees Chapungu in a friendly match at Gwanzura on Wednesday.
The club’s secretary-general Webster Chikengezha yesterday said the Glamour Boys are hoping to play at most three friendly matches before they plunge into this year’s competition.
They have also lined up another friendly game against ZPC Kariba in Harare next Sunday, which could be their final warm-up game.
DeMbare realise there is little time left to finalise their preparations with their first game in the Champions League now less than two weeks away.
The Glamour Boys will open their campaign at home in the preliminary round against Botswana’s Mochudi Center Chiefs over the weekend of February 7-9.
“It’s high time we put the final touches because we only have one weekend left. We are hoping to play another friendly match next Sunday but it’s still to be confirmed.
“We believe these matches will be very helpful to the technical team. These guys have been putting in a lot of effort, training three times each day.
“They had one session at the gym and two on the field and we believe they have covered a lot of ground. We also have some players at the CHAN tournament who should be joining us next week and I am sure they will fit in perfectly since they have also been training (with the national team),” said Chikengezha.
DeMbare have contributed half a dozen players in the Warriors squad taking part in the CHAN tournament.
Goalkeeper George Chigova, who has had a fine outing leading the team to the semi-finals, lead the DeMbare contingent that also include skipper Partson Jaure, Tawanda Muparati, Augustine Mbara, Simba Sithole, new signings Themba Ndlovu and Masimba Mambare.
Coach Callisto Pasuwa is also with the Warriors as assistant coach to Ian Gorowa and has left the team in the hands of his lieutenants Phillimon Mutyakureva, Tichaona Diya and Richard Chihoro.
The club’s vice-chairman David Mandigora, who led the side to the semi-finals of the 2008 Champions League competition, is also lending a helping hand. However, Ugandan Boban Zirintusa is not likely to play a part in the opening match as he is yet to report back for work after taking time off to be with his family during the festive holidays.
Zirintusa was supposed to come back on January 7 but is believed to have communicated to the management that he was attending to his wife who had fallen sick.
With the competition for places in the midfield, the tall Ugandan is likely to find it hard to claim a place in the team that will get the ball rolling the Champions League in two weeks’ time.
DeMbare have brought in several midfielders in their squad and they include Mambare, Tafadzwa Rusike, Ronald Chitiyo and Walter Mukanga who should all be looking to impress.
Online Reporter