The Dynamos technical team is sweating over the availability of right-back David Kutyauripo for the crucial Caf Champions League first round, second leg match against Mozambique’s Liga Desportivo Muçulmana de Maputo at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
DeMbare seized the advantage by forcing a two-all draw in the first leg playing away from home in which Kutyauripo was one of star performers, helping repel a barrage of attacks from Muçulmana. Head coach Calisto Pasuwa yesterday revealed at a Press conference Kutyauripo had a 50% chance of making it into the team for the match.
“He has been struggling with his knee. He missed training yesterday (Wednesday), but this morning (yesterday) he trained with the rest of the team. We still have to asses him before we make a decision, but I think it’s 50/50 for him to make it,” said Pasuwa.
Besides Kutyauripo, the rest of the 23 available registered players are injury-free. The coach is expected to name his final squad today.
Zambians Arthur Kaseloka and Derrick Kabwe are yet to secure work permits, which rules them out of this tie.
Pasuwa said he had used Motor Action as a point of reference in communicating to his players the magnitude of the task sthey have on Sunday. “I have reminded players about what happened to Motor Action. They drew away and lost at home. The draw we managed in Maputo gave us an advantage, but this is a new match altogether and we have to play positively and stay focused.” Pasuwa is wary of the passing game Muçulmana employ, but he told reporters he has prepared his side for that.
“They have a lot of ball players and they like to pass the ball. Well, we can allow them to do that in certain zones, but we want to make sure we put pressure on them and when we win the ball, we hit them on the break.”
Having conceded two goals which were both from crosses, Pasuwa has been working on his central defence pairing of George Magariro and Patson Jaure whom he said were combining better now. lMeanwhile, Dynamos, who have hiked the rest of the ground gate charges to $4, have reorganised the gates where they look to recoup more revenue.
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The team’s executive said they had held a meeting with Zifa, PSL and the Harare City Council where they came up with measures to curb free entry. Vice-chairman Webster Chikengezha said at the same Press conference council had repaired some of the gates and all 23 would be open for Sunday’s match with some tickets being sold from caravans outside the stadium.
In order to boost the morale of players, the executive said they had increased the winning bonus from the $300 to figures he would not reveal, as they were negotiating with their sponsors BancABC on the figure.
Dynamos have paid all outstanding signing-on fees and winning bonuses to players in order to motivate them for this fixture.
