CHAMPIONS Dynamos will be without two of their influential players, Patson Jaure and Tawanda Muparati, when they take on Buffaloes in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare this afternoon. Report by Henry Mhara
Jaure has been ruled out with a recurring shin injury that saw him miss the plane to Guinea with the national team last week, while Muparati is serving suspension for accumulating three yellow cards in the last three matches.
Buffaloes — who are going through their worst spell this season after picking up just a point in the last six matches — reported a clean bill of health in their camp.
Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa yesterday confirmed Jaure’s injury, adding that his team would also miss goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi and defender Byron Madzokere due to knee and back injuries.
“Patson aggravated his injury while playing for the national team against Egypt. The team doctors said he needs some rest to recover.” “Artie is struggling with his knees and Byron has not recovered from the knock he got in a friendly match against Monomotapa last week. This gives us problems as a team because we don’t have consistency in team selection.
“We are always changing teams every week due to different problems and that certainly affects the overall performance of the team,” added Pasuwa, who has taken a gamble by taking along with him to Mutare jet-legged Devon Chafa and Ocean Mushure who arrived yesterday from Guinea.
“We are not sure if they are match fit after all the travelling but I don’t have much of a choice. We will have to assess them tomorrow (today).”
Buffaloes caretaker coach Timothy Masachi will be making his debut on the bench as he tries to rescue the sinking team. The army side started the season well and at one time were on second position before a sudden turbulence which claimed the head of coach Saul Chaminuka.
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Masachi, a former assistant to Chaminuka, believes Wonder Sithole, who was unceremoniously axed at Dynamos last season, could hold the key for his side’s success this afternoon.
“I would have loved to start with any other team which is not Dynamos, but they are one of the 15 teams in the league and I will have to face them. I have to be strong and see how it goes. My players are prepared for the match and we are looking to get maximum points,” Masachi said.
He added: “Wonder was at Dynamos last season and has so much to prove. I think he will have much influence on the outcome of the match.”
Pasuwa also concurred: “Wonder is a very good player who has a very good eye for goal. Had it not been for injuries, he could still be playing for Dynamos.”
The good news for Dynamos is the return of Boban Bogere, who arrived in the country on Monday from his native Uganda where he was on national duty.
This fixture last season was won by Dynamos, with Murape Murape and Denver Mukamba getting the goals that separated the two teams. Coincidentally, the match was also played midweek.
Other key battles expected in this midweek fixture list include a Bulawayo derby between Highlanders and Chicken Inn.
Bosso, on 29 points, will be looking to maintain their four- point lead at the top of the table while Chicken Inn, on fourth position, will be looking to capitalise on Harare City’s inactivity today and move to third position. City host Monomotapa at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
Unpredictable Caps United host an equally inconsistent Hwange at the National Sports Stadium while wobbly FC Platinum, who parted ways with coach Tennant Chilumba last week, are at Motor Action.
