adminpromoted Triple B at Mucheke tomorrow.
DeMbare were supposed to take part in the Chipaz Charity match at Rufaro this afternoon but they have since pulled out because of contractual issues.
Instead the reigning champions will now travel to Masvingo where they are hoping to get an equally good sparring partner in Friday Phiri’s men who are coming from Beitbridge.
Gate charges have been pegged at US$1 and US$2.
Triple B have been promoted to the Premiership for the first time after winning the Central Region Division One League and are hoping to make an impression in their debut season.
Dynamos have been training for the last three weeks as they are preparing for this year’s edition of the Champions League tournament and the defence of their league crown and Mbada Diamonds title.
DeMbare team manager, Richard Chihoro, yesterday said the team has been putting in hard work in the last three weeks since they began their pre-season and they now wanted to start working on combinations.
“The team has been working very hard in training. The coaches and the boys are really serious in what they are doing and I am sure this match should be a good gauge for fitness and the combinations.
“We have new players coming in and it’s still work in progress. This is a chance for our fans in Masvingo to watch their team in action,” said Chihoro.
Dynamos are scheduled to start their campaign next month when they engage minnows Lesotho Correctional Services in the preliminary round over the weekend of 15-17 February.
They have a more difficult battle awaiting them in the first round, if they make it past Lesotho Correctional Services, with a clash against either Libyan side Al Ittihad or Club Bizertin.
The second round appears the toughest as they may face record champions Al Ahly in the decisive tie.
DeMbare have declared that they would want to improve on their performances in the previous two seasons when they failed to reach the group stages.
The technical team has been working with a depleted squad this week owing to injuries and the unavailability of strikers Rodrick Mutuma and Simba Sithole who are currently in South Africa for trials.
The technical team were monitoring Farai Mupasiri, Ocean Mushure, Partson Jaure and Milton Makopa who were down with injuries. DeMbare are still waiting for the arrival of their prospective signing Francesco Zekumbawire from Hwange.
The team this week had only one recognised striker — Mupasiri — at training. Chihoro said the friendly match would afford the players an opportunity to gel.
“We have just been in camp for less than three weeks and you cannot expect too much from the players at this stage.
“It’s still early and I think a team would need something like eight weeks to take good shape. It’s pleasing that everyone is showing zeal and commitment,” said Chihoro.
Meanwhile, South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns have named a 57-member delegation, which includes 32 players for next week’s three international friendly matches against Dynamos,
Highlanders and Caps United.
Sundowns will arrive in Bulawayo on Monday and the first match against Highlanders will take place at Barbourfields next Wednesday. They will then engage CAPS United next Friday and Dynamos two days later, both games in Harare.
The Sundowns squad includes three Zimbabweans — Nyasha Mushekwi, Esrom Nyandoro and Method Mwanjali, who is protected by Fifa and eligible to play in an international match in Zimbabwe despite the ban slapped on him by Zifa for his alleged role in the Asiagate match-fixing scandal.
While Zifa have given the impression that they have cleared Mwanjali to play, the fact remains that they have no jurisdiction to bar him, once its an international match, from playing as long as his registration as a player is still recognised by Fifa.
Regulars Teko Modise, Surprise Moriri, Anthony Laffor, Elias Pelembe, Richard Henyekane returning Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Clayton Daniels, Wayne Arendse and Eleazar Rogers are part of the team to be led by head of technical Trott Moloto.
Sundowns are currently preparing in Polokwane for the matches and are also expected to pass through Botswana on their way back home before the second half of the season resumes on February 13.
Players: Calvin Marlin, Denis Onyango, Siyabonga Ngubane, Doctor Mampuru, Method Mwanjali, Clayton Daniels, Wayne Arendse, Eleazer Rogers, Kwandakwensizwa Mngonyana, Alje Schut, Tebogo Langerman, Abel Mabaso, Mumuni Abubakar, Themba Zwane, Musa Nyatama, Thamsanqa Sangweni, Surprise Moriri, Esrom Nyandoro, Hlompho Kekana, Teko Modise, Samuel Jules, Anthony Laffor, Elias Pelembe, Richard Henyekane, Emmanuel Baffor, Nyasha Mushekwi, Edward Mnqele, Sibusiso Khumalo, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Rashid Sumaila, Emmanuel Mathias.
Technical Staff: Pitso Mosimane (head coach), Alex Bapela (Assistant coach), Clifford Dlangalala (Assistant coach), Jon Pascua-Ibarrola (Goalkeepers’ trainer), Helvicio de Gusmas (Physical trainer), Wendell Robinson (Goalkeepers’ coach), Trott Moloto (Head of technical), Mike Ntombela (Team Manager), Goolam Husein Valodia (Technical analyst), Paul Maphoto (Team doctor), Sakhumzi Ngwevela (Team physio), Anthony Mcgregor (Team biokinetist), Sizwe Gqogqo (Team Massuer), Freddy Zungu (Kit manager), Simon Mashego (Players’ caretaker), Kabelo Mosito (Communications), Dumisani Nyathi (Bus driver), Charles Nkhulu, Jan Moloya, Thomas Tshwale, John Skhosana, Peter Mofolo, Charles Manailane, Jeffrey Mokoetedi, Michael Mphomane (All team security).
Online Reporter