adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
UGANDAN attacking midfielder Boban Zirintusa look set to miss the action when Dynamos get their Champions League campaign in motion next week against Botswana’s Mochudi Centre Chiefs. Zirintusa, who was expected to join the squad early this month, is only expected to land in Zimbabwe this afternoon and team manager Richard Chihoro says his chances of taking part in both matches of the preliminary round are slim.
DeMbare will host Chiefs in the first leg at the National Sports Stadium next Sunday before traveling to Botswana for the return leg two weeks later.
Chihoro yesterday said they were concerned about Zirintusa’s fitness and would need to assess him further.
“Boban is taking an early flight from Uganda around 1am and should be arriving tomorrow (this) afternoon. Since the team has been training for the past month, we are not sure of his match fitness.
“He needs to get to the same level with the other players and that might also mean that he would need a month of training with the team at least before he can play competitively,” said Chihoro.
Zirintusa was expected to join camp on January 7 but officials at Dynamos have said the player requested more time to sort out personal issues back home.
DeMbare intensified their preparations for the Champions League early this month and will play two warm-up matches against Black Rhinos at Rimuka this afternoon and Confederation Cup débutantes How Mine at Gwanzura tomorrow.
The Glamour Boys were initially scheduled to play ZPC Kariba in their last preparatory match tomorrow but the newcomers have indicated they will be going into camp in Kwekwe.
The Harare giants then made arrangements with How Mine who are in the capital this weekend for a friendly match against Harare City this afternoon.
Chihoro said the match against How Mine will get underway at 1pm following a request by the Bulawayo side.
How Mine are also preparing for their debut participation in the Confederation Cup as they host FC Chuoni of Zanzibar in the opening match of the preliminary round next week.
DeMbare have been without coach Callisto Pasuwa and eight of their players who were on national duty during the Africa nations Championship which ends today in South Africa.
Pasuwa and his players — Partson Jaure, Tawanda Muparati, Augustine Mbara, Themba Ndlovu, Simba Sithole, Oscar Machapa, Masimba Mambare and goalkeeper George Chigova — will only join the team next week.
“We are happy with the preparations and these two friendly matches should wind up our pre-season.
“The good thing is that everyone is fit and we don’t have any injuries to worry about.
“The combinations are working well and we are now waiting for the guys who are in South Africa to finish the tournament and join us.
“I don’t think it will be much of a hassle to try and get these guys to gel with the new and old players in our squad.
“Most of them have been in the system already and I am sure it won’t be a big problem.
“Hopefully, we will create some game situations to see how we can tune the team. Otherwise, we are ready to play the Champions League,” said Chihoro.
Online Reporter