DYNAMOS will be determined to start the year with some silverware when they take on Highlanders in the return leg of the Bob89 Super Cup at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday. REPORT BY HENRY MHARA
The Harare giants have one hand on the trophy after winning the first leg 2-1 courtesy of goals by Tawanda Muparati and Patrick Khumbula, while Highlanders would be looking to build on their goal scored by Beaven Chikaka.
The Bob89 Super Cup, which has a $100 000 prize money for the winners and$75 000 for the losers, is held to celebrate the birthday of President Robert Mugabe. Mugabe turns 89 tomorrow.
Dynamos assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya yesterday said they are hoping to finish off Highlanders.
“It would be very nice to start the year with a trophy. We are looking to start from where we ended last season when we won the league and the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
Winning the Bob89 Super Cup will not only help us in terms of financial rewards, but it will also give the boys the much needed confidence going into the second leg of our Champions League match. We are looking forward to the game and hopefully, we will win,” Ndiraya said.
Highlanders assistant coach Bekithemba Ndlovu insisted his side can turn around the tables despite conceding two away goals.
“Of course we can beat Dynamos in Harare and win the trophy. We played very well in the first leg and it was very unfortunate that they outscored us. We have worked on that area and I think we will do better than last time. It’s not in the striking department that we have been improving, but we are looking at all the departments and I can say things are shaping up well,” said the former Warriors rightback.
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The two clubs will go into the Sunday encounter on the back of contrasting fortunes last weekend.
Dynamos beat Lesotho Correctional Services 3-0 in the Caf Champions League, while Highlanders were beaten 2-1 by Central Region Division One side Gwanda Ramblers in a friendly match.
Both teams are likely to field their new acquisitions in the match with Bosso expected to unleash Njabulo Ncube and Hillary Madzivanyika who has been having trials with the club. Axed Caps United striker Nqobile Mpala has reportedly resurfaced at Bosso although Ndlovu denied the reports.
“We haven’t announced the team that will travel to Harare, but their (Njabulo and Madzivanyika) selection will depend on the way they perform at training. We select our team based on performance,” said Ndlovu.
As for Dynamos, they are likely to field ex-Caps United striker Washington Pakamisa who is expected to sign a three-year deal today. Pakamisa has been training with the league champions since his expulsion from the Green Machine camp last week and Dynamos are trying to rush his registration with the Premier Soccer League. However, the match has come too early for the injured Clive Kawinga who also joined from Caps United.
The good news for Dynamos is that they can select Khumbula, Allan Tavarwisa and Ocean Mushure who sat out the Champions League match. The hard — running Khumbula and Tavarwisa are not registered for the Champions League, while Mushure was down injured from a knock he picked up in Bulawayo.
“Ocean started training today (yesterday) and we will continue to monitor his progress, but he should be fit for the match. We will use the match to prepare for the second leg in Lesotho and we had been tempted not to use the squad that will play in Lesotho, but we have realised that this trophy is equally important. The best players from the squad will be fielded on Sunday,” Ndiraya said.
