DYNAMOS key defender Partson “Yellow” Jaure is in a fitness race ahead of the football team’s Champions League first round, first leg clash against Tunisia’s C A Bizertin at the Stade 15 Octobre on Sunday. Report by Albert Marufu
Jaure, who complained of stomach pains and sat out yesterday’s training session, however made it into the final 18 squad which leaves the country this evening.
Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa expressed concern over the player’s illness that adds up to that of midfielders Tawanda Muparati (broken finger), Devon Chafa (groin) and striker Francesco Zekumbawira, who pulled a muscle.
“Partson has been vomiting and did not train. The team doctors will have to assess him. Muparati is training on his own and doctors will put a small plaster on his finger tomorrow morning (today). The other players — Devon and Zekumbawira — trained with the team. Besides these players, the rest are fit,” Pasuwa said.
“It is worrisome especially at this stage where we only have 18 players at our disposal. The other player, Sydney Linyama, trained with the team for the last two days, but is out of the squad due to lack of match fitness.”
Pasuwa, however, said despite the injury worries, the players were motivated and would be going to Tunisia hoping to spring a surprise.
“We have to come out with a positive result and we will fight for that,” he said.
Pasuwa, a veteran of many battles in the North African country both as a player and coach, however said that he had little knowledge of their Sunday opponents.
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“I know very little about the team, but I have gathered from the Internet that their average height is 1,84m, average weight 77,7kg and they have the average age of 24 years compared to our team’s average height of 1,67m, weight 65kg and the average age of 25,” said Pasuwa, whose side progressed to this round after a 3-1 aggregate victory over Lesotho Correctional Services.
“In the past, I have learnt that teams from North Africa utilise these advantages and we have been trying to counter that by practising set pieces.
“However, I want to appeal to football bosses in Zimbabwe that when we play games out there, we will be representing the country. Last weekend they denied us permission to play a friendly match which is very unfortunate,” he said.
Dynamos captain Murape Murape said confidence would be key to the team’s success.
Dynamos vice-chairman Webster Chikengezha said travelling arrangements had been sorted and the team was expected to depart via Dubai at 1850hours and arrive in Tunisia at 1300hours tomorrow. The team is expected back in the country on Tuesday evening. Dynamos final 18 squad:
Goalkeepers: A Mukandi, G Chigova Defenders: P Jaure, A Mbara, G Bello, M Kadzola, O Mushure, T Magorimbo Midfielders: S Alimenda, D Chafa, C Sekete, R Madamombe, T Mabvura, M Murape, T Muparati Strikers: B Ziruntusa, F Mupasiri, F Zekumbawira
