DeMbare’s Arubi blow

Premiership side Pretoria University.
Arubi’s departure now makes him a huge doubt for the Battle of Zimbabwe showdown between Dynamos and Highlanders at Barbourfields on Sunday.
In fact it will come as a huge blow to DeMbare’s aspirations of closing the gap on their old enemies and  log leaders Bosso given the impact that Arubi has made at the Harare giants.
Arubi could have stayed in South Africa on Monday when Dynamos made a stopover on their way from Angola from a Confederation Cup assignment against InterClube but there had been delays following concerns raised by AmaTuks about the goalkeeper’s status in relation to the Asiagate scandal.
The seasoned goalkeeper attended the team’s training session at Raylton Sports Club in the morning but he later left on the evening flight from Harare to Johannesburg.
But given the role that Arubi has played in DeMbare’s cause Callisto Pasuwa’s men look set to feel the impact of his absence when should they visit Bosso at fortress Barbourfields without him.
DeMbare’s visit to Highlanders is the first of a run of tough fixtures that will also see Pasuwa’s men take on bitter Harare rivals CAPS United in a derby clash at Rufaro bofere they hit the road again with a trip to Mandava for a date with FC Platinum. 
Dynamos chairman Kenny Mubaiwa however, professed ignorance on Arubi’s whereabouts claiming that nothing official had been communicated to the club.
“I am only hearing people saying that Arubi is going but as a club are not aware.
“Its being said that he will return on Friday.
“The agents are talking to our player directly but we will meet when they come to negotiate for a transfer.
“He is our player and has a contract with us and that should be respected,” said Mubaiwa.
Mubaiwa said they are also still waiting to hear from Denver Mukamba who is still at Bidvets Wits.
Despite the setback of Arubi’s departure, Dynamos skipper George Magariro remained upbeat and warned Highlanders to brace themselves for their first defeat of the season.
While clubs in the Castle Lager Premiership are taking a two-week break, Dynamos have to catch up on the outstanding games starting   with the first edition of Battle of Zimbabwe at Barbourfields on Sunday.
Dembare lost 1-0 to InterClube in Luanda, Angola, to bow out of the Caf Confederation Cup in a third round play-off for places in the group stage of the tournament.
Participation in the continental club competitions had seen Dynamos accumulating a backlog of fixtures and now they have to clear the matches before the resumption of the second half of the season.
Highlanders should have hosted the match during round five and Bosso are unbeaten in 14 matches.
The Bulawayo giants are enjoying a new lease of life under Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu as they sit at the top of log standings with 32 points.
Dynamos are in sixth position with 23 points and Magariro, who has bounced back into the team, believes the Harare side have to reclaim the league championship at the end of the season.
“We are out of the continental competition and its unfortunate but our attention has now been turned to retaining the league title.
“I think we have managed to put the defeat in Angola behind us and focus in now on the PSL,” said Magariro.
The Dynamos centre back said his troops are ready to plunge into Barbourfields and then come out with a positive result on Sunday.
“The players are looking forward to Sunday’s game.
“But we also call on our fans to rally behind us.
“All we need is a positive attitude to win the game,” said Magariro.
“They (Highlanders) are home so the pressure will be on them from their fans.
“On our part we will put maximum effort to get the result,” said Magariro.
In their last league game, Dynamos beat Blue Rangers 6-0 with the youthful pair of Farai Mupasiri and Tichaona Mabvura also finding the target.
“Its good that the youngsters are doing well and they are the future of the team.
“I am also still trying to be at the top of my game since I had not been playing regularly,” said Magariro.
Meanwhile Hwange’s Zambian defender Aaron Katebe has snubbed an offer to go for trials with South African side Mamelodi Sundowns, opting to wait for opportunities from Europe.
According to reports from South Africa, Katebe’s agent has advised the player to wait for a chance to try his luck in Europe.
Katebe recently received a call to the African champion’s senior team and scored Chipangano’s first goal in their 2-1 win over CAPS United at Gwanzura on Sunday.