adminAugustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS utility player Thomas Magorimbo sent panic in the Glamour Boys camp yesterday, just before the team’s departure for Botswana, when he misplaced his passport. Magorimbo, who can play either as a holding midfielder or defender, was almost dropped from the travelling party as he could not locate his passport.
The passport was later located at the Dynamos offices at the National Sports Stadium.
The Harare giants had been scheduled to leave at 6am yesterday but endured a five-hour delay as they searched for Magorimbo’s passport.
The officials were also trying to sort out a permit for the bus which the team is using for their road trip to Botswana where they will take on Mochudi Centre Chiefs in a Champions League encounter on Sunday.
Despite the delays, the squad remained in high spirits as they were treated to breakfast by club patron Webster Shamu and his wife Constance.
The Harare giants are carrying a 3-0 cushion from the reverse fixture at the National Sports Stadium but coach Callisto Pasuwa wants to see his men play with a better cutting edge in attack in Botswana.
Pasuwa believes his troops wasted a lot of chances in the first leg of the tie.
Washington Pakamisa struck a brace in the second half while newboy Masimba Mambare got the other goal.
“We are happy to be carrying an advantage but we should not go there and sit back. We have to look for more goals and this is not going to be easy,” said Pasuwa.
“I think the best way to defend our advantage will be to attack.
“I was just telling the guys that if we could score three goals in the last 45 minutes like we did on Sunday at the National Sports Stadium then it was also possible Mochudi Centre Chiefs can do the same at their home.
“So we should be taking this game seriously and hence we are looking for more goals.”
Pasuwa brought in Warriors’ forward Simba Sithole and winger Tafadzwa Rusike, who is set to make his debut for DeMbare, while he dropped Russell Madamombe and Patrick Khumbula.
Rusike and Sithole did not play in the first leg after failing to recover from knocks while there were still concerns over the fitness of midfielder Cliff Sekete.
Goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi has also been left behind with Tatenda Mukuruva providing cover for George Chigova.
As expected, there was no place for Ugandan international Boban Zirintusa who is currently unsettled at the club.
Zirintusa is registered for the Champions League but could be on his way out of the Harare giants since he has missed all of the team’s pre-season training sessions.
Pasuwa is hopeful his team will improve their performance in Botswana, which will be their second competitive game this year.
“We had guys who were at CHAN and players who were here at home training together for just two days last week,” said Pasuwa.
“At least, we had another chance to prepare and I can say there isn’t much difference now in terms of fitness levels among the players.
“I am still worried about Sekete, who is injured but all the same we have carried him, in the hope that he will recover before the game.”
Dynamos were expected to arrive at dawn and Pasuwa will give his troops some rest after the taxing road journey before they train twice today while another session is set for tomorrow at the match venue.
The Harare giants will not be short on support as two buses will ferry fans to Botswana and they can also count on hundreds of Zimbabweans residents in Gaborone.
Mochudi Centre Chief captain, Pontsho Moloi, said his team were capable of overturning the deficit at the University of Botswana Stadium on Sunday.
Meanwhile, How Mine also left Harare yesterday for Zanzibar to play Chouni in the Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round, second leg tomorrow.
How Mine left Harare around 3pm on an Ethiopian Airways flight.
Chikurupati enjoy a 4-0 lead from the first leg but their coach Philani Ncube has warned his players against complacency.
Dynamos Squad
G. Chigova, T, Mukuruva, O. Machapa, T. Magorimbo, A, Mbara, P. Jaure, R. Chitiyo, S. Alimenda, O. Mushure, V. Kamhuka, S. Linyama, W. Mukanga, T. Muparati, S. Sithole,T. Ndlovu,, T. Rusike, M. Murape, W. Pakamisa, O. Machapa, M. Mambare
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