Pakamisa in injury scare

Pakamisa, who has been red-hot in front of goal in the past few weeks, could not complete the training session.
The former CAPS United skipper is in line to meet the team that gave him a foundation to start his professional career for the first time in the colours of the ultimate enemy – Dynamos.

Having been off-loaded by the Green Machine at the end of last season, Pakamisa joined DeMbare, crossing the Great Divide that separates the two giants, and after a slow start, he has exploded into a dangerous forward.

Last Sunday, DeMbare fans on the Vietnam Stand was in full voice, singing his name before the match, in a tradition that is reserved only for the best of DeMbare sons.

Coach Callisto Pasuwa, who was criticised at the beginning of the season for signing Pakamisa before his critics sneaked into hiding, was optimistic about his striker’s chances of playing on Sunday.

He said the decision to withdraw Pakamisa yesterday was precautionary, probably mindful of the big difference the in-form former CAPS United man could make if he gets involved on Sunday.

Pakamisa has bagged six goals in the last four games and has been on target in all their matches since the 2-1 win over Tripple B at Mandava three weeks ago.

“Washy had a groin injury, so we had to rest him. He trained three quarters of the session and we decided to rest him,” said Pasuwa.
“But besides some knocks on guys like Ocean (Mushure), who he had an ankle injury, I think things are going on very well.

“We had other guys who were injured like Zekumbawira, Mabvura, Byron Madzokere, and Tawanda Chokuwamba.
“We had again Patrick Khumbula who was injured but is back at training.

“Artwell is also training but we still have to monitor his fitness levels before we put him in the team.”
Pasuwa is hoping to have most of his players available for the derby.

The Glamour Boys, who have been reeling from a spate of injuries of late, had the majority of their players back in training this week and will carry out fitness tests today.

DeMbare got a big boost ahead of this important clash with the return of striker Patrick Khumbula, Stephen Alimenda, Tichaona Mabvura, Augustine Mbara, Byron Madzokere, Francisco Zekumbawira and goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi.

As holders, DeMbare are looking to rescue their mission in defence of the league title after getting off to a poor start this year.
Buoyed by victories over Monomotapa and Hwange in their last two outings, the Glamour Boys yesterday appeared high in spirits as they went through their paces at their Zimphos training ground.

DeMbare, who are currently fifth on the log table with 15 points, are trailing the log leaders Highlanders and FC Platinum by five points.  
Besides closing in on the leading teams, Dynamos find themselves in a crucial assignment to maintain their dominance over their Harare rivals.

Winning the Harare Derby comes with bragging rights between the two halves.
Pasuwa, however, will not look into the fact they have neither conceded a goal nor lost a league match to CAPS United since 2009.

His main focus is to get the championship campaign back on the road after drawing six games and winning three from their opening nine matches.
“On our side as Dynamos, maybe we started off very slowly; our motive is to have those three points coming into our bag. It doesn’t matter how we are going to get them but we need the three points.

“It’s an important game. We have been talking to the players and everybody included in the Dynamos set-up that our approach mustn’t be as if we are playing according to history.

“What happened in the past is something else and will remain history. This is a new game with new players.  Some of these guys are still new so our approach should be positive,” said Pasuwa.

DeMbare were also boosted by the return of their captain Murape Murape who was suspended for the last game after accumulating three yellow cards.

Pasuwa said the veteran skipper’s availability was good for motivation since his experience and influence was priceless.
Murape watched Dynamos’ last match against Hwange from Vietnam where he mobilised support for his teammates as they battled hard to a 2-0 win.

“The return of Murape, being the captain of the team, I think it’s a morale booster for us. Murape has played many derbies previously and I think it’s a plus for us,” said Pasuwa.