NO major changes will be made to the Dynamos squad that is set to travel to Lesotho for the second leg of the Caf Champions League against Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS), assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya has said.
REPORT BY HENRY MHARA
The Harare giants, who carry a comfortable lead following their 3-0 first-leg win, are expected to leave for Maseru tomorrow morning.
Ndiraya, who has 20 players registered for the Caf champions League currently in camp fighting for 18 slots, said they would not tinker much with the squad that mesmerised the Basotho side in the first game.
Striker Francisco Zekumbawira — who made his impressive debut for the club against Highlanders in the Bob89 final last Sunday, and Ocean Mushure who missed the first leg through injury — are the only additions expected.
“We will make the final selection tomorrow (today), but there will be no changes to the team that played in the first leg. From the players that were registered for the Champions League, we have 20 who are training, so two will have to be dropped. We have delayed naming the final squad because we still have a full day of training and some players might get injured,” Ndiraya said.
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From the players that made the final list against LCS, it looks like third choice goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva would be sacrificed for Zekumbawira.
Against LCS, coach Kalisto Pasuwa used natural midfielders Boban Ziruntusa and Russel Madamombe as makeshift strikers, and while the goals came, there is no doubt that Zekumbawira would lead the frontline in Maseru.
The on loan striker, partnered with Patrick Khumbula in the 4-0 drubbing of Highlanders on Sunday, is likely to partner Farai Mupasiri — now fit — on Sunday.
Zekumbawira was clearly not match fit and fizzled out later in the match against Highlanders, but there were several moments throughout the course of his 55-minute cameo role that highlighted his immense talent.
Another player likely to get the nod after impressing against Highlanders is former Monomotapa goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi who made some heart-stopping saves that won him many admirers.
Mushure should retain his left-back position although Augustine Mbara would feel hard done after his flawless performances against LCS and Bosso in that position.
Patson Jaure, who has developed a knack of popping up upfront and scoring some crucial goals for his side, remains the rock in Dynamos’ defence.
His partnership with Gift Bello at the heart of defence is beginning to flourish although both players are disadvantaged in height.
Devon Chafa is a totally different player this season and has been bossing midfield battles in pre-season games that Dynamos have played so far, while Tawanda Muparati has been awesome, scoring three brilliant goals against Highlanders and LCS.
Dynamos proved too strong in the first leg and barring any freak result in Maseru, progress to the next stage for the champions is almost guaranteed. Dynamos’ probable 18G Chigova, A Mukandi, T Magorimbo, P Jaure, G Bello, M Kadzola, A Mbara, O Mushure, D Chafa, S Alimenda, T Muparati, R Madamombe, C Sekete, T Mabvura, B Ziruntusa, M Murape, F Mupasiri, F Zekumbawira.