Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Mtulisi Mafa
11 September 2008
Harare — ZIMBABWE champions Dynamos flew out yesterday for their make-or-break African Champions League soccer clash against Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas at the Robert Champroux Stadium in Abidjan on Saturday.
Dynamos left Harare late yesterday afternoon on a trip that will take them through East Africa's commercial capital Nairobi, Kenya, before flying into Abidjan.
The Harare giants have so far seen horizons close up on them in the mini-league Group A of the Champions League, a tough group that also comprises of Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Zamalek.
Dynamos started off their campaign with so much promise as they emerged 2-1 victors over ASEC Mimosas in their first match at Rufaro in August.
The win, having bundled out African Champions Etoile Du Sahel, sent waves throughout the continent with some aura about them.
There was belief flying over the blue half of the capital and their Group A rivals suddenly opened up their eyes to take notice.
But the wheels came off the blue chariot hardly a distance after take off and successive defeats to both Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Zamalek left DeMbare on the electric chair.
The switch on that dreadful chair will only be installed in Abidjan this Saturday and while the hordes of blue masses back home will be praying for their club's dear Champions League lives, Asec Mimosas could just turn it on with titanic consequences.
That's the battle Dynamos will be fighting in Abidjan, the fight for their Champions League lives and they realise that good football alone will never take them to the Promised Land.
DeMbare were so unlucky to lose their matches against Zamalek and Al Ahly in Egypt.
The local league champions put up some great displays and were only seconds from claiming a famous point against Al Ahly.
Lazarus Muhoni, recruited during the off-season to provide the experience needed at this level, had brought Dynamos level with a fine diving header and they looked on course to snatch a vital point.
But a heartbreaking Mohammed Aboutrika winner with the last kick of the game left them on the ropes.
Shattered dreams and a long trip back home where a lot of souls were in emotional turmoil.
Dynamos then showcased their worst ever performance in the Champions League in their return match against Al Ahly two weeks' ago at Rufaro where they fell to a Mohammed Barakat strike as they betrayed their own fans with a display that was as bad a match at an old people's home.
That result left them anchoring the four-team table and coach David "Yogi" Mandigora realises how his players have let their fans down.
Mandigora is still optimistic of making it to the semi-finals, he believes his team has already learnt from their mistakes and will do everything to win against Asec Mimosas on Saturday.
"I know they are going to fight. It's about time they won because they have been losing so many games of late.
"We have a very good chance of making it to the final, we just need to win this game and we will be fine.
"There is only one team that has qualified from our group -- Al Ahly -- and the rest have an equal chance. Asec know that if we win against them we have a great chance and the same with them.
"We have played some good football away from home but it's not enough, we need a win that will take us where we want to be."
Mandigora, who has come under some fierce criticism for his team selection policy, defended his decisions arguing that much depends on the performance at training and the opposition.
There has been a lot of questions on the choice of players in their favoured 3-5-2 formation, the left side of defence in particular, where Sam Mutenheri has struggled lately.
Mutenheri has been a regular in that position with Reuben Mhlanga being relegated to the bench.
Mandigora's critics believe Mhlanga, a natural left-footer, offers better service with his fantastic crossing than his teammate.
"We don't select players on the basis of crosses, we look at a number of things and their performance at training.
"We also consider our opposition and select players suitable for that match but for that position, we haven't decided who will start (against Asec Mimosas on Saturday)," he said.
Dynamos have long lost their regular shape and their midfield remains the most affected.
Justice Majabvi, their hard-working former captain, has missed out on the trip through suspension, having picked up two yellow cards.
The Dynamos technical staff took a gamble on an unfit Wonder Sithole against Al Ahly at Rufaro on August 30, but dropped the ex-Masvingo United midfielder for this trip.
But there was some bright light out of the dark cloud with captain Murape Murape making a return with new signing Carrington Gomba also making the trip to Abidjan yesterday.
Team
W. Manyatera, Z. Nyaungwa, T. Sweswe, L. Maphuya, S. Mutenheri, R. Mhlanga, W. Mapfumo, M. Murape, D. Shoko, C. Gomba, B. Marere, D. Phiri, P. Marufu, E. Sadomba, A. Dzukamanja, N. Maroto, L. Muhoni, A. Dzukamanja
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