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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
AS preparations for the CAF Confederation Cup gather momentum, rays of hope are beginning to shine in the Dynamos camp following the recovery of some of their key players ahead of the Harare giants’ trip to Botswana for the second-round tie against Orapa United.
Big defender Kelvin Moyo and expatriate forward Sadney Uri-Khob, who picked knocks during the preliminary round tie against Zambia’s ZESCO United are up and running. The duo looks set to be included in the squad for the weekend assignment at Obedi Itani Chilume stadium in Francistown.
The duo’s recovery comes just a fortnight after the return of another long-term injury, and Kelvin’s twin Elvis Moyo, who had missed the first five months of the 2024 Premiership season.
There were fears that Elvis Moyo may not play this season after struggling with a series of knocks that started with a hamstring injury just before the start of the term.
However, the defender has since started the last two league games against Chegutu Pirates and TelOne.
He also made a second-half appearance in the Chibuku Super Cup match against ZPC Kariba last week.
But the sad news for the Glamour Boys is that Ghanaian midfielder Frederick Ansa-Botchway, who was injured in the Castle Lager Premiership match against Yadah Stars on July 25, will play no further part this season as he is not expected to recover on time. DeMbare interim coach Lloyd “Mablanyo” Chigowe had mixed feelings about the developments in his squad although he appeared a bit relieved about the improvement on the health bill.
“We are quite happy that Kelvin Moyo has recovered from the tendon problem that saw him miss the three matches we have played in the last two weeks.
“I am also a bit relieved Sadney Uri-Khob has joined the rest of the team in training, and we are hopeful he will be ready for the next assignment.
“If it all goes well, this can boost our options. But we seem to have lost Frederick Ansa-Botchway who might not recover this season,” said Chigowe.
If all goes according to plan, DeMbare are expected to leave for Botswana today.
They progressed to the second of the competition after edging out Zambian side ZESCO United on a 1-0 aggregate victory.
On their part, Orapa United, who are at home for the first leg, defeated Foresters of Seychelles 3-1. The winner of the second round will advance to the coveted group stage of the competition.
Dynamos will set base in Botswana for the next 10 days or so as both matches will be played at the same venue in Francistown.
DeMbare will be forced to host The Ostriches on the opponents’ home soil due to the unavailability of a CAF-certified stadium to host international matches in the country. Orapa United will begin the tie at home this Sunday before reversing roles the following week. The tickets are selling at P30 and P50. Despite the apparent drawback, DeMbare’s interim gaffer Chigowe believes it was always going to make a big difference to play their home game on familiar home turf.
He urged stadium owners and the corporate sector to join hands and spruce up local facilities to meet CAF requirements so that they also get to leverage home advantage, which is critical in continental football.
“We applaud the current efforts on the refurbishment of our National Sports Stadium. “But it’s unfortunate we have to play both matches in Botswana.
“It’s sad in the sense that we have failed to upgrade just one stadium in all the 10 provinces. It means that all the corporates that are benefiting from our minerals have no serious social responsibility to the local population.
“Local authorities and government must also prioritise sport and football in particular.
“We can’t continue to be football refugees. We are giving the Botswana team a home-ground advantage completely.
“We urge our fans to come to Francistown and help the team cross the line in these very important matches, not only for Dynamos but the nation at large.
“Our boys will give everything to have Zimbabwe represented in the mini-league,” said Chigowe. DeMbare are returning to African football for the first time in a decade and a group stage appearance could be a heaven-sent feat. The Glamour Boys, however, are not taking anything for granted.
“All the matches we played after the ZESCO encounter were in preparation for the decisive matches against Orapa United.
“Naturally, like any other team going into a knock-out stage, we aim to go past them. It is not going to be easy because Orapa United are not at this stage of the tournament by invitation,” said Chigowe.
Online Reporter