Takesure Chinyama injury scare

Takesure Chinyama.
The veteran forward pulled a muscle in the Champions League tie against Mozambique’s Liga Maculmana last weekend.
DeMbare will open their account in defence of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title against newboys Hardbody at Rufaro on Sunday.
But Chinyama, who scored a brace in Maputo last Saturday, missed the first day of training together with gritty midfielder Milton Makopa who wasn’t feeling well.
Coach Callisto Pasuwa said the two were being monitored by the club’s medical team.
“We had a good training today (yesterday) with about 28 of the players we registered with the Premier Soccer League, of course with the exception of Takesure and Milton Makopa.
“Takesure must have pulled his muscle because the pitch in Maputo was a bit hard.
“I hope it’s a minor setback and he should be back in training. The doctors are working on it,” said Pasuwa.
Chinyama appears to have provided the answer to Dynamos’ prayers for a striker to bolster their attack following the departure of Cuthbert Malajila.
The Zimbabwe international seems to have done enough to demonstrate his importance to Dynamos’ cause this season despite struggling to shake off a nagging knee injury.
Pasuwa appeared in high spirits yesterday and said they had decided to give the players a short rest upon their return from Champions League duty in Mozambique as they immediately had to shift attention to the domestic league.
DeMbare arrived from Maputo on Monday night following a 2-2 draw with Liga Maculmana in the first leg of the first round clash last weekend.
Pasuwa said they wanted a good start to the campaign.
“I wouldn’t want to talk much about the championship at this point. We are just starting this weekend and we will focus on one game at a time. It’s important to collect maximum points in one game and then focus on the next.
“We have been talking with the players that we should not underrate any team. On paper it appears easy when we face newly promoted teams like Hardbody in the first game and Buffaloes in the next.
“But there is always a danger in approaching such games in a complacent manner. I view these clubs as tricky opponents because they are already motivated to beat Dynamos.
“We played Buffaloes in a friendly during the pre-season and they gave a very good performance.
“It’s dangerous to label teams as small in football these days. So we are preparing hard for the weekend game,” said Pasuwa.
Hardbody have indicated that they were ready for the challenges in the top-flight league.
The team’s head coach Tavaka Gumbo believes his charges are prepared for the Premiership demands as they have set themselves a modest target to survive relegation in their first season.
Gumbo, who has previous coaching experience in the Premiership at Hwange, Masvingo and Shabanie Mine last week said the Gweru side are not in the league to make up the numbers.
Last year’s runners-ups, FC Platinum, will be in Harare for a date against Black Mambas at Morris Depot.
Despite playing away, Rahman Gumbo’s men have a big advantage over their opponents as they have been involved in competitive games in the Champions League.
Hwange, who were also involved in Africa, begin their campaign at home when they host newboys Quelaton at the Colliery.
The coal-miners have set themselves a top four finish target and the technical team, led by Tenant Chilumba and Nation Dube, will be eager to see an improved performance on the domestic front following last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with visiting Sudanese outfit El Amal Atbara in the first leg of the Confederation Cup first round tie. The game however dealt them a heavy blow as midfielder Ocean Mpofu was left with a swollen ankle and is battling to recover ahead of the weekend game.
Hwange have played three competitive games in Africa to date and should be up for the task.
“We want to finish in the top four and boost our chances of playing in Africa again next year. The boys now know what is at stake.
“Our aim (in the long run) is to be one of the top clubs in Zimbabwe,” said Chilumba.
Premier Soccer League chief executive Kenny Ndebele said the stage is now set for the action to begin although there were a few adjustments needed at Sakubva.
The ground was condemned by the inspection committee who felt it was bumpy and unfit for games.
The pitch is home to returning army side Buffaloes who host Monomotapa in their first game this weekend.
“The inspection of the venues is almost complete now but there were concerns over the surface at Sakubva. The inspectors noted that it needed some touch-ups and requested the City of Mutare to look at the pitch,” said Ndebele.
Fixtures
Buffaloes v Monomotapa, Highlanders v Blue Rangers, Black Mambas v FC Platinum, Dynamos v Hardbody, Motor Action v Harare City, Shabanie Mine v CAPS United, Chicken Inn v Gunners, Hwange v Quelaton