adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS vice-chairman, David Mandigora, will have to double up his roles this month as he is expected to frequent the team’s training sessions to assist the technical team in their preparations for the Champions League in the absence of head coach Callisto Pasuwa. The three-time championship winning coach, who is assistant to Ian Gorowa in the Warriors set-up, is expected to leave for South Africa this morning for the African Nations Championship tournament which kicks off this Saturday and ends on February 1.
Pasuwa yesterday said he has confidence in his lieutenants Philmon Mutyakureva, Tichaona Diya and team manager Richard Chihoro, who is also a qualified coach, to work on the team during his absence.
Mandigora, who is one of the best coaches in Zimbabwe, has a rich history with the Glamour Boys and led the Harare giants to the semi-final of the Champions League in 2008, with Chihoro then working as his assistant.
DeMbare will open their campaign on February 7 at home against Mochudi Centre Chiefs of Botswana.
Pasuwa has laid out a training programme which will be followed by his assistants and has confidence that the presence of Mandigora will be of great benefit.
“We have been discussing with the guys and I even talked to the vice-chairman of the team as you know he is technically sound.
“He is one of the former coaches of the team. He will be helping the guys on the field in training sessions, which is a plus sign for us.
“So I think they will do well,” said Pasuwa.
DeMbare resumed their preparations last week after taking a break for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The Glamour Boys yesterday played a practice match with the national team and are expected to continue with their preparations this morning without seven of their players who are in the Warriors squad.
Pasuwa said he was excited with the arrival of winger Tafadzwa Rusike and Ronald Chitiyo who finally put pen to paper on Friday after agreeing to separate one year deals with the Glamour Boys.
They have also brought on board former Chicken Inn and Triangle midfielder Walter Mukanga and tough-tackling defender Themba Ndlovu from Buffaloes.
“It’s good that we have some of the players registered for Champions League. It helps in terms of selection of the team.
Now we need to prepare well so that we can fare well in the Champions League.
“We are still looking for a striker, though. We need a real goalscorer, a person who can get those goals coming in both the Champions League and the domestic competition.
“The door is still open for a striker,” he said.
Online Reporter