Dynamos go into this afternoon’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro against Buffaloes haunted again by the ghost of injuries.
BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
Facing a side that halted their unbeaten run this season, Dynamos would be missing injured strikers Washington Pakamisa and Patrick Khumbula as well as the versatile Thomas Magorimbo and goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi.
Pakamisa and Magorimbo were injured in last week’s 1-0 defeat to Chicken Inn in Bulawayo in a match Dynamos coach, Kalisto Pasuwa complained about the way the referee Hardlife Ndazi handled it. Also missing is the defensive duo of Ocean Mushure and Devon Chafa who are with the national team in Zambia.
Striker Francisco Zekumbabwire is not fully fit and according to Pasuwa, he could play a cameo role in today’s match.
“You get to a point when you think the team has now gelled but then there comes injuries, national team commitments and transfer wrangles. As a coach, you never plan well,” complained Pasuwa.
“It disturbs the rhythm because we are losing at least two players after every game. The team then fails to win and people outside never understand what would be going on.”
Of the 25 senior players registered with the PSL, Dynamos have managed to use only 22 as they failed to get clearances of Sydney Linyama and Congolese midfielder Jeremy, while Byron Madzokere has been battling a nagging back injury.
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A frustrated Jeremy has gone Awol and did not train last week. Pasuwa suspects he may have gone back to DRC after Dynamos failed to pay FC Lupopo the US$5 000 transfer fee.
During this transfer window, Pasuwa fears that clubs might not issue clearances to players he would have acquired due to non-payment of transfer fees.
“There are players we would love to sign but we cannot because there is no money. Maybe we have to look at our juniors where there are no transfer issues involved,” he said.
“But between July 15 and 20, we should have finalised our list of 25 senior players who should all be available for selection during this second half of the season. This is a very crucial period.”
A suspected plot to ouster club chairman Keni Mubaiwa and Pasuwa has also overshadowed Dynamos’ preparations for the Buffaloes match. A former club official, a board member and a top referee are believed to be involved is a smear campaign to sabotage the team through match-fixing.
This could be good news to Buffaloes coach Timothy Masachi who is not intimidated by the usually hostile environment at Rufaro.
“It does not matter that we are away. We now know how Dynamos play and we can win. It is a tricky encounter and chances are 50-50 for both teams to win. We are good in attack more than any other department,” said Masachi.
Jacob Muzokomba and Stephen Sibanda have scored eight goals apiece in Buffaloes’ total 28 goals this season.
But their defence has worrisomely shipped in 29 goals which is the highest conceded in the league.
