DYNAMOS has been hit by a severe defensive crisis after central defenders Patson Jaure and Gift Bello were yesterday ruled out of the Premier Soccer League clash against Motor Action at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
REPORT BY HENRY MHARA
The Mighty Bulls are equally wounded with skipper Marlon Jani, defender Passmore Bernard and midfielder Clemence Matawu racing against time to be fit for the match.
The pressure is on Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa after the Wednesday draw against Harare City as they now lie four points behind Highlanders, who demolished Monomotapa 5-2 on Thursday.
Bello and striker Clive Kawinga limped off the Harare City match, the former pulling off before halftime, while Jaure had to play the last 10 minutes with a heavy limp.
Jaure, who received a heavy tackle from Phenias Bhamusi, had to persevere throughout because his team had exhausted all their substitutes.
Team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday told NewsDay Sport that while Kawinga would have to pass a late fitness test, Bello and Jaure were definitely out.
Patrick Khumbula, Francisco Zekumbawira, Augustine Mbara, Byron Madzokere and Cliff Sekete are also on the treatment table while Sydney Linyama is planning a return to Chicken Inn after Dynamos failed to pay for his services.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Motor Action coach Joey Antipas is hoping that his trio of injured players will be ready for today’s tricky clash.
Bernard was pulled off in the second half against Triangle with an ankle problem, while Jani and Matawu were not involved at all.
Antipas, who recently returned home from school in Europe to find his team just above the relegation zone, said he rated the trio’s chances of playing at 50-50.
The 2010 league champions, however, have striker Misheck Mburayi and Congolese winger Yves Ebabali, who are capable of providing the goals for the Mighty Bulls, like what they did against Triangle on Wednesday.
This fixture ended goalless last term and Dynamos won the reverse fixture 2-0 as they matched towards a second consecutive title.
Meanwhile, Hwange coach Nation Dube has warned his charges to guard against complacency when they take on limping Monomotapa in a Premier Soccer League match at the Colliery tomorrow.
The coalminers have been on a purple patch, picking up six points from their last two matches against Tripple B (3-1) and FC Platinum (0-1) to move out of the relegation zone.
However, Dube says his players must not look into the wins, but focus on a wounded Monomotapa, who suffered a 5-2 heavy defeat at the hands of league pacesetters Highlanders on Thursday at Rufaro Stadium. “It will be a tough match as they (Monomotapa) are trying to put their house in order after the loss yesterday (Thursday). And they are definitely saying if Highlanders and Hwange have won away, they can as well win,” Dube said. His counterpart at Monomotapa, Biggie Zuze, expressed worry about the inexperience on the part of his boys, but said he still had to soldier on, lamenting the absence of key players Ronald Chitiyo and Kuda Musharu, who are with the Warriors in Malawi. “Inexperience cost us against Highlanders. The turning point for Bosso was when they got that penalty, but then we need to regroup and think of Hwange. They (Hwange) are on a high after beating Platinum and it will be a tough match. These youngsters are not ready for these big games, but we have to make do with what we have,” Zuze said. The man to watch at Monomotapa is Ismael Lawe, who grabbed a brace against Bosso on Thursday. At Gwanzura tomorrow, Black Rhinos host Triangle, at Rufaro Harare City welcome bottom- placed Tripple B, while Buffaloes and Shabanie Mine clash at Sakubva.
