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Veteran Murape Murape has been nursing a troublesome knee and the team’s medical department confirmed that he failed a late fitness test yesterday.
The industrious midfielder also missed last Sunday’s 2-1 win at Gunners because of the injury and has failed to recover fully although he has been training with the team this week.
Team doctor, Nathan Makanza, yesterday confirmed that Murape was still down with the injury although the other players like Milton Makopa, George Magariro and Ocean Mushure, who were on the team’s casualty list, were certified fit and included in the final squad of 18.
Guthrie Zhokinyi is coming back after serving a four-match suspension while Timire Mamvura and Devon Chafa have been slapped with sanctions because of bookings.
DeMbare were eliminated from the prestigious Champions League and have made it clear that they want to atone for that disappointment by making progress in the second tier competition.
Goalkeeper Washington Arubi said the Glamour Boys would need to keep focused if they are to realise their dream.
“This is a game we have to win and it’s important to score goals and avoid conceding at home. What we need is to be confident of what we are doing,” said Arubi.
“We don’t have to change our way of play just because we are now playing in the Confederation Cup.
“But we have to be careful because the fact that they (Interclube) reached this stage means that they are good.
“Hopefully with the supporters, who are the 12th man, strongly behind us we will prevail,” said Arubi.
DeMbare welcome back Takesure Chinyama from South Africa where he had gone to negotiate his move to Orlando Pirates.
Zambians Derrick Kabwe and Arthur Kaseloki also found their places in the squad and will be available for selection.
Versatile Thomas Magorimbo, who had a good game in the middle of the park against Gunners, and speedy winger Martin Vengesai, who has lost his way, were included among the midfielders.
Chinyama, Mutuma and Kabwe are the three strikers.
DeMbare are desperate to bounce back from the 7-1 aggregate loss to African club champions Esperance.
Interclube coach Bernardino Pedroto yesterday sounded the battle cry and said his side will be looking for a positive result to move them closer to the group stages of the Confederation Cup.
Pedroto argued that the Angolans, who reached the semi-finals in the previous campaign, are keen to make an impression again this year.
The former Portuguese international said he was not worried by the prospect of playing away from home and facing a possible backlash from the hosts.
“We have got a plan for them and I am confident that we can get a positive result.
“I always want my players to go into any game situation to win. That’s my philosophy. That is our only formula to stay alive,” said the Portuguese coach.
Pedroto was roped in following the dismissal of Antonio Caldas due to poor results in April and since then he has managed to transform the fortunes of the club for the better.
Interclube are coming from a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Progresso de Sambizanga in a midweek league fixture, which took them to sixth place on the log standings. The club was on 14th place when Pedroto joined them two months ago.
He holds the record of winning five Angolan league titles and four Super Cups, a feat no other coach has achieved in the history of the Girabola league.
But they will miss the services of Angolan international Nary who is serving a suspension.
Pedroto was forced to bring a thin squad of 16 as some of his players are not registered to play in the tournament.
Interclube have four players in the current Angolan national team who include Paulito, Hipolito Mario, Joel Mpongo and Fabricio Mafuta.
Cape Verde international Aires Fernandes is the only foreign player in the squad.
Interclube dispatched Sudans El Amal Atbara 6-1 on aggregate in the second round of the qualifiers.
The same Atbara side eliminated Hwange in the preliminary round on the away goals rule and if we had any questions about the predigree of this Angolan side, then that should provide the answers.
The Angolan police team won the first leg 4-1 at home and then finished off their opponents 2-0 away in Sudan.
Online Reporter