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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
Dynamos skipper Murape Murape has challenged his team to borrow from the Warriors’ good run at the CHAN tournament in their Champions League campaign which begins tomorrow with a preliminary round tie against Botswana’s Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the National Sports Stadium.
Murape, who was charmed by the home-based Warriors’ brave performances at the CHAN tournament, feels that Glamour Boys should adopt the same spirit and aim to return to the top in the Champions League.
Dynamos have not made it to the group stages of the tournament in the last three seasons and Murape believes they have to look up to the national team’s performances for inspiration.
Zimbabwe exceeded expectations at the CHAN tournament when they reached the semi-finals for the first time in history, with DeMbare goalkeeper George Chigova and defender Partson Jaure playing big roles.
Dynamos had contributed eight players at the tournament.
“We have seen what happened with our national team in South Africa at the CHAN tournament. Those guys did very well and they demonstrated that it is very possible to win out there.
“Teams can be beaten. We have to take the motivation from those performances and continue to lift the Zimbabwe flag high on the continent,” said Murape.
The Harare giants have been preparing for the last one month and are looking forward to a positive start to their campaign and revealed that they are not taking Chiefs very lightly.
DeMbare coach Callisto Pasuwa, who was part of the CHAN tournament and only returned to training on Wednesday, will have to play his cards well to come up with winning combinations.
The coach missed a month’s training and had eight other Dynamos players with him at the tournament in South Africa where he was assistant to Ian Gorowa.
DeMbare have brought in five new signings and, with match fitness a real concern for some of the players in their squad, Pasuwa is walking a tight rope.
Mid-fielders Ronald Chitiyo, Cliff Sekete, Boban Zirintusa and goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi were recently placed on a special training programme to allow them to catch up with teammates after recovering from injuries.
Zirintusa will not take part in this match since he only returned from Uganda last week but Chitiyo, Sekete and Mukandi could be fighting for their places after featuring in the club’s last friendly match against How Mine.
On paper it appears Pasuwa will be spoilt for choice.
Despite lamenting the departure of Gift Bello for rivals FC Platinum, there are still healthy options in Victor Kamhuka and new-boy Themba Ndlovu to partner Jaure at the heart of defence.
Ndlovu’s fellow new arrivals Masimba Mambare, Walter Mukanga, Tafadzwa Rusike and Chitiyo have provided the depth that DeMbare needed in the midfield.
But it is their thin strike-force which remains a concern. Dynamos have played three friendly matches recently against Chapungu, Black Rhinos and How Mine, winning two and drawing one. Murape, who was a victim of the boo boys in their friendly match against How Mine which ended 0-0, has called for a truce with the supporters and has appealed to them to rally behind the team tomorrow.
The cheapest ticket has been pegged at US$3 with bays 15-18 marked at US$10 while those who want to watch from the VVIP enclosure will have to part with US$20.
Mochudi Centre Chiefs are expected to arrive this morning and will train at the match venue later in the afternoon.
Whilst most of the Chiefs players have a rough idea of what to expect against Dynamos, their Serbian coach Dragojlo Stanojlovic was frank when he told the club’s website that he has little knowledge about the Zimbabwe champions.
“I haven’t seen Dynamos before, not even in a DVD and that is a problem, I only know that they had beaten Nico in a friendly game and they won the league championship at Zimbabwe.
“The training is going well and my players are focused to the game. I like the discipline and I’m happy,” said Stanojlovic.
Chiefs will be hoping for inspiration from their key men like the veteran former Zebras striker Pontsho Moloi, Onalethata Tshekiso and Zimbabwean midfielder Elvis Meleka who is the reigning Player of the Year in their league.
They also have former Zimbabwe national team defender Arnold Chaka in their books.
However their new striker Bonolo Fraizer, who has scored 11 times in 15 outings, is likely be the man to watch.
Chiefs have an edge in terms of match fitness as their league is now in the second round while Dynamos are coming from the off-season.
DeMbare ousted another Botswana side Gaborone United from the same competition four years ago 4-2 aggregate with Elvis Chiweshe at the helm.
Chiefs’ assistant coach, Odirile Matlhaku, said they had been preparing for the fixture since the beginning of the year.
Matlhaku told the Botswana media that they will be looking to shut out the Glamour Boys and get a cushion ahead of the return leg next week.
“We have studied our opponents and are aware of how they play. Therefore, our main aim is to win the game and score one or two goals,” he said.
Club captain, Moloi also acknowledged that they know what to expect because most of his teammates have played in the continental competition before.
Squads
Dynamos
Goalkeepers: George Chigova, Artwell Mukandi, Tatenda Mukuruva
Defenders: Augustine Mbara, Partson Jaure, Thomas Magorimbo, Ocean Mushure, Sydney Linyama, Victor Kamhuka, Oscar Machapa, Themba Ndlovu
Midfielders: Murape Murape, Tawanda Muparati, Cliff Sekete, Stephen Alimenda, Russell Madamombe, Boban Zirintusa, Ronald Chitiyo, Walter Mukanga, Tafadzwa Rusike, Masimba Mambare
Strikers: Simba Sithole, Patrick Khumbula, Washington Pakamisa
Mochudi Centre Chiefs
Goalkeepers: Raphael Ntwhane, Mompoloki Sephekolo, Lame Tladinyane.
Defenders: Michael Mogaladi, Thabiso Khunwane, Arnold Chaka, Sekgabo Molebatsi, Kereeditse Maphane, Ontse Ntesa.
Midfielders: Elvis Meleka, Lesego Galenamotlhale, Othusitse Pilane, Patrick Lenyeletse, Lemponye Tshireletso, Arnold Bonang
Strikers: Pontsho Moloi, Bonolo Fraizer, Onalethata Tshekiso, Atang Mmualefe.
Online Reporter