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Such is the crisis in the Glamour Boys’ camp that Pasuwa went into camp with just 17 players — the only fit and eligible members of his squad that he could assemble for the tie against Esperance.
Tineyi Chitora, who was signed as a striker, remains AWOL and this investment is turning into money flushed down the drain while Zambian forward Derrick Kabwe is still awaiting his papers to start working in Zimbabwe.
Zambian midfielder, Arthur Kaseloki, who could be used as an attacking option in times of distress, is also unavailable because of work permit problems.
The issue of the two Zambians, and the challenges they have faced just to try and work in Zimbabwe, has divided the DeMbare camp with some factions claiming that the move to get their papers was deliberately being sabotaged in-house.
Interestingly, Bosso coach, Kelvin Kaindu, who is their fellow Zambian, has already been granted a work permit when he came at a later stage compared to the players.
CAPS United coach, Sean Connor, was also granted a work permit after coming into the country at a later stage compared to the Zambian players.
Pasuwa will only have Martin Vengesayi and Rodreck Mutuma, in easily the weakest attacking combination, in terms of experience, thrown into the deep end by the Glamour Boys in a Champions League tie.
The Zimbabwe football kings are chasing to wipe out a 0-6 deficit suffered from the first leg in Tunis but history and the odds are heavily stacked against them.
In the 48 years of the competition, no club has been able to progress after suffering such a big defeat in the first leg.
It’s even worse for Pasuwa as he is going to battle with a heavily depleted side after on-fire striker Chinyama was ruled out because of a swollen knee.
Chinyama is the leading scorer for Dynamos in the Champions League after getting all the team’s three goals.
Problems have been dogging Chinyama since early in the week when he missed the first day of training following a bereavement in his family.
Midfield hardman Milton Makopa is also out of tomorrow’s game because of a hamstring strain and there was further sad news last night when Augustine Mbara left camp following the death of his sister.
The Harare giants will also be without Timire Mamvura, who is sitting on three yellow cards, while veteran defender Guthrie Zhokinyi is also on suspension.
Surely the Mission Impossible has become a reality.
Dynamos will be forced to drop to the Caf Confederation Cup to revive their glory in African safari for this year.
Yesterday, the club’s executive also revealed that the gate charges are now $3 for the cheapest ticket.
Earlier they had announced that the minimum ticket will be pegged at $5 but club treasurer Moses Chikwariro said the charges will be kept at a minimum and the upper grand stand seat will cost $10 and the VIP ticket is $15.
Pasuwa said they now have to concede that they will field an understrength team, especially now that Chinyama’s firepower will be missed.
“It’s a sad scenario and, as coach, you can look for answers but you always need your best players to be there, especially for such big games, and Takesure is a player we badly needed,” said Pasuwa.
“But we have no choice because we tried to force issues but there is very little you can do with swollen knees”. he said.
Online Reporter