DYNAMOS will attempt to put a turbulent week behind them — including failure to travel yesterday — as they engage AS Vita of the Democratic Republic Congo in the first round, second leg of the Orange Champions League at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa tomorrow.
BY HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
Kick-off is at 3:30pm.
Having planned to resume training for the second leg on Tuesday, the players went on strike protesting over unpaid allowances and bonuses and only returned to the pitch on Thursday.
They were also due to leave yesterday at 1pm, but the trip was moved to 1.50am this morning via Nairobi, Kenya, before connecting to Kinshasa, some three and a half hours away, are expected there at 10am this morning.
“We are no longer travelling to the DRC today (yesterday). We have been forced to change our travelling plans because of some complications relating to our return flight,” said Dynamos secretary-general Webster Chikengezha yesterday.
“We had booked Ethiopian Airways, but they said they were fully booked for Sunday (return date). They said they could only get us seats on Wednesday, but we couldn’t take that option because it would mean we would spend two extra nights in the DRC at our own cost,” said Chikengezha.
He added: “The team will now depart at 2am aboard Kenyan Airways and we are arriving at 10am the same day. We are going via Nairobi. We will depart Kinshasa immediately after the match on Sunday and arrive back home at 10am the next day. This arrangement is even better than the initial one because had we used Ethiopian Airways we were going to arrive at 1300hrs.
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“These changes also mean that we have an extra day of training here. The team had their morning session and we are currently having our lunch. We will have another session late in the afternoon so it’s a day well utilised. We will have dinner as a team then immediately leave for the airport.”
When reached on his mobile phone, coach Kalisto Pasuwa sounded dejected as the whole debacle unfolded.
Besides the change in travelling arrangements, the gaffer, who needs a win or a scoring draw against AS Vita to advance to the next stage, has an even bigger problem to deal with.
Striker Washington Pakamisa, his top scorer in this campaign with two goals, has been ruled out of the decisive match with a knee problem.
It means Pasuwa’s travelling squad has only one recognisable striker in Simba Sithole, who has not scored a goal in three Champions League matches this term.
But the good news for the Harare giants is that Patson Jaure, Ocean Mushure and Sydney Linyama are part of the travelling crew. The trio had on Thursday been doubtful for the trip due to different ailments, but were yesterday certified fit.
“There is nothing we can do to change the situation. The doctors who examined Washy said he has a 50% chance of playing, but we cannot take a chance. We will have to change some tactics and hope to get a result with the available resources,” said Pasuwa.
“The preparations have not been what we wanted, but the job has to be done. We have to motivate the boys and I am confident that we will get a result that we want. Patson is now fit and so is Ocean. Sydney still has his boil and the pus will be removed on arrival in the DRC. The doctor said he can play on antibiotics. Save for those, all the players are well and in high spirits. They are ready for the battle,” added Pasuwa.
As Dynamos continue to stutter in their preps, its smooth sailing for their opponents.
The Kinshasa-based club welcome back into the squad two players who did not travel to Harare for the first leg. According to the team’s website, fullback Emmanuel Ngudikama, and striker Lusadisu Basisila are available for selection.
Striker Luvumbu Nzinga, who picked an injury in the first leg and was pulled out later in that match, has also been certified fit for the decisive match. Squad
Goalkeepers: George Chigova, Artwell Mukandi. Defenders: Thomas Magorimbo, Oscar Machapa, Patson Jaure, Sydney Linyama, Themba Ndlovu, Ocean Mushure, Augustine Mbara. Midfielders: Steven Alimenda, Walter Mukanga, Devon Chafa, Tawanda Muparati, Ronald Chitiyo, Masimba Mambare, Cliff Sekete, Murape Murape Striker: Simba Sithole.
