adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS have made a formal request to Zifa to allow them to register five extra players for their two-fold campaign in the Champions League and the domestic Premiership next season.Club chairman Kenny Mubaiwa told The Herald that the Harare giants have applied for a special dispensation to cushion them from the effects of injuries and fatigue as they begin their season a month before the domestic programme gets underway.
The issue was first raised by their coach Callisto Pasuwa, who complained that his side has often struggled to keep up with the intensity of the fixtures in the early stages of the season.
The Premier Soccer League rules state that each of the 16 clubs should register a squad of maximum 30 players which include five players who are under the age of 20.
DeMbare, however, feel that the rules have a negative impact on their game as players often get knocks and also suffer the effects of burnout because of the tight fixtures and the travelling involved.
Mubaiwa said DeMbare are requesting to register 30 players for the Champions League and an additional five juniors who could be considered for the domestic Premiership.
“We are writing to Zifa explaining our position with regards the issue of players we should register for the domestic and the Champions League.
“We feel that teams that participate in Africa are not treated fairly in that we start our season early and usually with high intensity games.
“By the time the local league begins we might be having three or four players injured.
“A few games into the season the effects of the burnout that comes from the intensive fixtures will be affecting us because the same players will be playing on both fronts.
“We are basing this on experience. So we want to ask Zifa to allow us to register 30 players for the Champions League and the five juniors, putting into context the reasons I have stated,” said Mubaiwa.
Zifa Communications manager Xolisani Gwesela yesterday said they had not received the letter yet and promised that the authorities will look at the request.
Dynamos are currently building their side for next season and have short-listed 24 players for the Champions League with hopes of adding six new signings.
Their preparations, however, have been hamstrung by their weak financial position which made it difficult to attract most of their targeted players.
Midfielder Ronald Chitiyo, Themba Ndlovu and Walter Mukanga, who finally sealed a deal on Tuesday, are the only new additions to the squad.
DeMbare will begin their campaign in the preliminary round in February against Botswana’s Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
The Harare giants will start at home on February 9 and then travel to Botswana for the return leg a week later.
They will play the winner between DRC side AS Vita and Kano Pillars of Nigeria if they progress past the preliminary stage, with a possible date against South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs awaiting them in the decisive second round.
DeMbare last reached the mini-league in 2010 and had a disappointing run in their last three outings.
Online Reporter