adminWarriors international Jaure was ruled out of Dynamos’ opening two Premiership matches against Black Mambas at Morris Depot on Good Friday and their home tie against Chicken Inn at Rufaro because of an injury he picked while on national duty for Zimbabwe in a World Cup qualifier against Egypt in Alexandria on March 26.
Jaure watched from the terraces as Dynamos stumbled to 1-1 draws against Mambas and Chicken Inn.
But his return is certain to give coach Callitsto Pasuwa some relief as the DeMbare gaffer prepares his team for a tough assignment in which Dynamos need to overturn a 3-0 first leg deficit they incurred in Bizertin three weeks ago.
Given the manner in which Dynamos have been misfiring in attack and looked suspect at the back, the coach will at least be happy to count Jaure’s return as one problem solved.
Pasuwa must decide on the best central back partnership to thwart the Tunisians as the combination of Augistine Mbara and Gift Bello failed to click against Chicken Inn and were cruelly exposed especially on the occasions that Warriors defender Mbara kept drifting to his familiar left back role.
Dynamos also welcomed back Ugandan international Boban Ziruntusa on Tuesday.
The midfielder who arrived at DeMbare this year from Division One side Twalumba had been on national duty with the Uganda Cranes and missed the Easter weekend Premeirship matches after arriving late from Kampla.
Ziruntusa’s return also gives Pasuwa’s more options to select from his limited Champions League squad.
After drawing twice against Mambas and Chicken Inn Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday said they have already shifted their focus from the league to the immediate assignment against the Tunisians.
“Our preparations are progressing well for now.
“All the players are around since we now have Jaure who started training today (yesterday).
“Boban arrived yesterday (Tuesday) and he is also training with the rest of the team,” said Chihoro.
Chihoro however sought to remain cautious on whether Jaure and Ziruntusa would immediately be drafted into the team to face the Tunisians.
While Pasuwa could be happy to welcome Jaure and Ziruntusa, his biggest worry has been on his misfiring forwards as he seeks to score four goals without reply past Bizertin.
Striker, Francisco Zekumbawira is yet to open his goal scoring account for Dynamos after joining the Harare giants from Hwange while Dynamos’ two goals in the league so far have come from midfielders.
Forceful forward Patrick Khumbula and Allan Tawarwisa are ineligible at this stage of the competition following their late registrations and chances are slim that they will be taking part in this year’s edition.
Farai Mupasiri is the other natural striker available for the Champions League squad but the young forward has not seen enough game time so far this year.
In their Champions League assignments, Dynamos have often been forced to use Murape Murape as a central striker.
Dynamos would also have to tighten their defence as twice in the Premiership, the Zimbabwe champions have had to come from behind with Tawanda Muparati scoring at Morris Depot to cancel out an earlier effort by Nicholas Arifandika while Cliff Sekete resuced a point for them against Chicken Inn.
But Pasuwa has faith in his players and remains hopeful that his strikers will get the much needed goals to salvage some pride in their Champions League campaign that seems to have fallen off the rails again at an early stage.
Last year, it was another Tunisian club Esperance that booted Dynamos from the competition and now the Harare giants are starring at yet another exit from the prestigious inter-club competition.
Bizertin are expected to arrive in Harare tomorrow, travelling via Dubai for the match set for Sunday.
Meanwhile the Premier Soccer League have released the weekend’s programme in which Dynamos’ match against Shabanie Mine at Maglas has been deferred until next week as the Harare giants will be busy with Champions League duties while CAPS United will resume their rivalry with Black Rhinos following the soldiers’ return to the top-flight.
Fixtures
Saturday: Chicken Inn v Triple B (Luveve SS9), Black Mambas v FC Platinum (Morris), Black Rhinos v CAPS United (Gwanzura), Motor Action v Harare City (Motor Action Sports Club), Triangle v Highlanders (Gibbo)
Sunday: How Mine v Monomotapa (Luveve SS9), Buffaloes v Hwange (Sakubva)
Wednesday 10 April: Shabanie Mine v Dynamos (Maglas Stadium SS9)
Week 4
Thursday 11 April: FC Platinum v Chicken Inn (Mandava SS9)
Saturday 13 April: Monomotapa v Black Mambas (Rufaro), CAPS United v Buffaloes (Gwanzura), Triple B v Shabanie Mine (Dulibadzimu)
Sunday 14 April: Hwange v How Mine (Colliery), Harare City v Black Rhinos (Gwanzura) Highlanders v Motor Action (BF SS9), Dynamos v Triangle (Rufaro)
* SS9 – Supersport 9
Online Reporter