DYNAMOS expect to have a full side for this weekend’s Caf Champions League home match against AS Vita Club with no injuries recorded. HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
The Harare giants will host the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) side in the competition’s first round first leg match at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Ronald Chitiyo, Walter Mukanga, Tawanda Muparati and Masimba Mambare did not travel to Mutare for the Saturday friendly against Buffaloes which Dynamos won 1-0, but team manager Richard Chihoro said the players were rested.
“They were just rested,” Chihoro said. “We felt they needed rest after playing in Botswana and then against DC Academy on Thursday. We also wanted to give other players a chance. We did not pick any injuries in Mutare so I can confirm that there are no injury worries in the team at the moment,” Chihoro said.
He said the team will resume training today.
Dynamos beat Botswana’s Mochudi Centre Chiefs 4-1 on aggregate to qualify for the first round while AS Vita club were 4-3 aggregate winners over Kano Pillars of Nigeria.
AS Vita arrived in Kinshasa on Tuesday from Lagos and regrouped the following day to begin preparations for this match.
With their league in full swing, the Kinshasa-based club appear to have an upper hand in terms of match fitness compared to Dynamos. According to the club’s official website, the team is likely to arrive in Harare on Thursday.
- 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
Dynamos have had mixed fortunes against teams from the DRC in recent years. In the 2010 Caf Champions League, Dynamos met FC Lupopo and won one-nil home and away.
Under Kalisto Pasuwa, Dynamos are yet to win away from home in the competition.
Meanwhile, the Saturday match will be handled by Madagascar referee Hamada el Moussa Nampiandraza.
He will be assisted by compatriots Jean-Thierry Djaonirina (first assistant) Randrianarivelo Ravonina Harizo (second assistant) and Hubert Marie Bruno Andriamiharisoa (fourth official).
Malawi’s Maxwell Mtonga is the match commissioner.
The return match, set for March 8 in Kinshasa, will be refereed by Anthony Ramsy Raphael of Malawi.
