Dynamos will be hoping to perform a Houdini Act when they take on Tunisia’s CA Bizertin in the first round, second leg of the CAF Champions League at Rufaro this afternoon.
Report by Albert Marufu
Three second half goals from midfielder Harran Ahmed and defenders Ali Machani and Fakkherddine Jaziri in the first leg at the Stade October 15 three weeks ago saw the North African side assume a healthy lead going into the return leg.
Though the mission appears insurmountable — with Dynamos having struggled against opposition from north Africa in the past – Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa remains upbeat.
“We now know what to expect from the opposition and we have done our preparations,” he said.
Pasuwa said Zimbabweans should not read much into Dynamos’ loss of form that has seen them going on a winless streak since February 17 when they beat Lesotho correctional Services 3-0 in the same competition.
While Dynamos have just managed two one-all draws against Chicken Inn and Black Mambas, Bizertin have been racking points in Tunisia with a victory over Marsa and a draw against Zarsis in the last two games.
“We have to win this game as a way of paying back to our sponsors BancABC and Mbada Diamonds. The idea is to attack so that we get the required goals. We have realised the mistakes we made in the first leg in which we conceded all the three goals in set pieces,” said Pasuwa.
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To make it worse for Pasuwa, who was once a Champions League finalist with the same club in 1998, two of his players in a lean squad of 19 are doubtful for the match through injuries.
“Striker Francesco Zekumbawire and midfielder Stephen Alimenda will have to pass late fitness tests. Zekumbawire did not train on Friday,” he said.
If Zekumbawire fails to make it, Pasuwa will have to rely on the young Farai Mupasiri who is failing to regain the form that saw him being named last season’s Rookie Player. There is also Boban Zirintusa to turn to, but the Ugandan is a natural midfielder. In defence Partson Jaure who missed the opening two matches is now fit to play.
War horse, Murape Murape refused to throw in the towel urging the team’s fans to rally behind the squad.
“It is unfortunate that our fans boo the players when they make mistakes. This is not good as it unsettles us. We are a great team with a rich history and are capable of overturning the 3-0 loss,” he said.
CA Bizertin coach Mondher Kbaïer admitted that Dynamos pose a threat to his side’s chances of progressing to the next round.
“We played well in the first leg and should continue to improve. We go into this match leading 3-0, but this is a different game altogether. Dynamos is an experienced side and is capable of winning this match,” he said.
Kbaïer however miss the services of defenders Machani — the scorer of the first goal — and midfielder Mauoune Troudi who are both injured.
However, he has in his side captain and goalkeeper Ben Mostapha and the trickery Senegalese midfielder Youssouph Mbengue. Mbengue was a constant threat to Dynamos in the first leg in which the visitors choose to play defensively. Star midfielder Kamel Zaiem is also back in the squad after missing the first leg following the death of his father.
