South Africa bound Dynamos goalkeeper Washington Arubi will feature for his club this afternoon when they clash with new-boys Harare City at Rufaro Stadium as the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League resumes following a four week break.
Arubi sneaked out of the country last Wednesday morning for South Africa where he is understood to have had trials with Absa Premiership side Bloemfontein Celtic.
With a number of South African clubs, top among them Platinum Stars and Black Leopards reportedly tracking him, there were major doubts that Arubi would return anytime soon.
However, the Warriors goalie returned to the country this week and was back at Dynamos training yesterday.
His return could be a big boost for the Dynamos side, who will miss two of their influential players for the match.
Holding midfielder Milton Makopa and left-back Ocean Mushure have been ruled out of today’s match due to injuries. Makopa has a groin problem while Mushure is complaining of a back injury.
Coach Kalisto Pasuwa said save for the injured duo, all the other players are ready for the match. He said the Dynamos players who were on national duty with the Warriors for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi last Sunday will be up for selection. Patson Jaure, Takesure Chinyama and Denver Mukamba were with the Warriors.
“We are yet to discuss his (Arubi) trip to South Africa. I just heard he went for trials last week but he hasn’t told me about it,” said Pasuwa yesterday. “He trained with the other guys today (yesterday) so he will be up for selection. In fact all the players, including those who were with the national team trained and I’m happy with the overall condition of the players,” added Pasuwa.
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Before the break that paved way for the Warriors’ Afcon and World Cup qualifying commitments, Pasuwa complained of fatigue on his players. Dynamos, whose results against Hwange have been nullified, are on eighth position with 14 points.
Their opponent today Harare City, who have former Dynamos players Brighton Tuwaya and Nathan Ziwini in their ranks, are three rungs down with eight points.
Tuwaya has been handed the captain’s armband while Ziwini has been their outstanding player so far. “The fact that they have played for Dynamos before means they have an idea of what to expect in terms of atmosphere. They maybe key to us because they are psychologically prepared,” said Harare City coach Bigboy Mawiwi.
The Dynamos versus Harare City match will serve as an appetiser for the weekend fixtures when all the teams resume action.
Motor Action hosts log leaders Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium in arguably the biggest match on Saturday while the match between two resurgence sides Caps United and Buffaloes should provide fireworks.
