×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Kalisto confident

Sport
DYNAMOS coach Kalisto Pasuwa remains bullish ahead of the decisive African Champions League first round second leg football tie against CA Bizertin of Tunisia

DYNAMOS coach Kalisto Pasuwa remains bullish ahead of the decisive African Champions League first round second leg football tie against CA Bizertin of Tunisia at Rufaro Stadium, Harare, on Sunday.

REPORT BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

Not even the recent two successive draws against Black Mambas and Chicken Inn in the league games appear to have taken the confidence out of him.

The champions suffered a shocking 1-1 draw against police outfit Black Mambas in the season opener before being held to another 1-1 draw by visiting Chicken Inn at Rufaro in their title defence – results which have left supporters wondering whether the team will be able to repeat last year’s feat.

And after suffering a 3-0 defeat in the first leg against CA Bizertin, Pasuwa’s charges are staring at an early exit from the prestigious tournament for the second year running.

However, the Dynamos gaffer maintained the mission was still possible.

He said he would emphasise the need to get the goals they need to turn the tables.

“All I can say is that we are prepared for the next game and like I said before, we have to go out there and psyche up the guys so that we can have the goals coming.

“We have to make sure we motivate the strikers we have because those are the only ones.

“I will have to sit down with them (players) and tell them that we can do it. Let’s go out there and get the goals. We also have to practice hard at the training,” Pasuwa said.

The Dynamos coach, who is likely to be missing key defender Partson Jaure again for the crucial tie because of injury, however, bemoaned the team’s lack of depth.

He said while they had signed a number of players, some were either injured or still had to get clearance.

“On the new signings, we have Byron Madzokere who is injured. He has a problem with his back. We also have Sydney Linyama, who is still to get clearance from Chicken Inn and then Morris Kadzola is awaiting clearance again from Motor Action.

“We also have Jeremy from DRC and are still waiting for his ITC. Those are some of the setbacks that are forcing us to make positional changes,” Pasuwa said.

Jaure sustained injury while on national duty when Zimbabwe lost 2-1 to Egypt in a world cup qualifier. He missed the Sunday tie against Chicken Inn.

New boy Boban Ziruntusa – if he arrives from Uganda on time – and Francisco Zekumbawira need to play to their best if Dynamos are to get the three goals they need to tie up the match and one more to win.

What has been evident from the first round is that Dynamos have struggled in their return legs having lost to MC Algiers and Espérance in the last two seasons.

But this is the first return leg at home and they need to win at all costs.

Meanwhile, CA Birzertin were held to a 1-1 draw by ES Zarzis on Sunday. The players were rested on Monday before resuming training yesterday ahead of the trip to Harare. The Tunisian outfit is expected to arrive in Harare tomorrow via Dubai.