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Dynamos start title defence

Sport
DYNAMOS coach Kalisto Pasuwa has included players who were on international duty this week in his final squad.

DYNAMOS coach Kalisto Pasuwa has included players who were on international duty this week in his final squad as the league champions begin their bid for a third consecutive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title with a clash against Black Mambas at Morris Depot this afternoon.

HENRY MHARA

Patson Jaure, Ocean Mushure and Augustine Mbara were part of the national senior men’s team that fought gallantly before falling to a late goal in a 2-1 loss to Egypt in a 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night.

The Warriors arrived back in Harare on Wednesday and Pasuwa immediately called the trio into camp for the team’s season opener. “The three have been included in the final 18,” confirmed team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday.

“They arrived back yesterday (Wednesday) and will have enough rest today. They should be ready for the match. All the players except Clive Kawinga are fit.”

Dynamos assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya said his team was using the match against Mambas and Chicken Inn on Monday to fine tune the squad for next weekends’ match against CA Birzetin of Tunisia in the Caf Champions League first round reverse fixture.

“We want to get maximum points from the two games to get the much needed confidence going into the Champions League match. In as much as we want to retain the league, I should admit that it would be a huge challenge for us,” Ndiraya told NewsDay Sport this week.

Mambas have not beaten Dynamos since they were promoted into the top flight league three years ago and were beaten 4-1 and 3-0 last season, but coach John “Toto” Ncube said history books would be rewritten today.

“Dynamos have been our bogey side since our promotion into the league and the best we have managed against them is a draw, but that trend should end. We have prepared well for this match and we should come out with a win. Morale is high in camp and the boys are looking forward to the match,” said Toto.

However, Mambas will go into the match crippled after three players George Chikweva, Convenience Hungwe and Nhlanhla Ncube were ruled out due to injuries.

Meanwhile, league returnees Black Rhinos will be looking to cause a major upset when they host last season’s fourth-placed team Monomotapa at Rufaro Stadium.

Rhinos are banking on veterans such as Lazarus Muhoni and Brighton Chandisaita, while Chinomakwa Nani as Monoz is populary known have been on their customary rebuilding exercise after losing virtually all first team players.

Some of the big names that left Monoz during the last transfer window period are Russel Madamombe, Tawanda Nyamandwe, Joram Muchambo, Knowledge Machona, Osborne Mukuradare and Tendai Ngulube.

Nonetheless, the 2008 league champions managed to retain two of their most prized assets in Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo and club skipper Kuda Musharu.

“We are still OK as long as we work hard for each other. Chinomakwa Nani juggernaut cruises on,” said Musharu.