HARARE Gaborone United will come unstuck against Dynamos this afternoon should they base their game plan on what their coach observed during a spying visit to Harare two weeks ago, DeMbare coach Elvis Chuchu Chiweshe has said. The two sides battle it out at the National Sports Stadium in an African Champions League second round, first leg tie that could go a long way in deciding who progresses to the lucrative mini-league phase of the competition. A convincing victory for the Zimbabwean champions is vital to ensuring they are not eliminated by Gaborone United who will still have a second opportunity to right things in the return leg in Gaborone in two weeks time.
On their part, Gaborone United will need to secure either a victory or the critical away-goal(s) to enhance their chances of upstaging DeMbare.
Mind game
But Chuchu, clearly playing the mind game to unsettle his rival, told The Zimbabwean on Sunday that Bright was in for a rude shock if he bases his assault plan against Dynamos on whatever the Botswana coach observed when he watched DeMbare playing the Democratic Republic of the Congos FC Lupopo two weeks ago. “In our encounter against FC Lupopo, we were defending our goal and did not play to our full strength. Their coach got wrong tactics about us because on Sunday (today) they will see a different Dynamos, said Chuchu, sounding like he had just been reading Manchester United coach Alex Fergusons manual on mind games.
He added: “Everyone in the team is aware of what is at stake. Our main target is to qualify for the mini-league phase of the competition. I watched Gaborone United’s match against Township Rollers in which they lost 4-1. Their coach was here to spy on us when we played FC Lupopo but he got the wrong tactics.” But Bright appeared determined not to fall for Chuchus bait, insisting his trip to Harare was not in vain.
I know Dynamos
Watching Dynamos play the Congolese had given him enough to be able to plot an effective game plan against the Harare side, said Bright, who also added that his sides unexpected victory over South Africas Orlando Pirates had given his players the confidence they need to confront any side on the continent, Dynamos included.
Bright said, My team has the potential to make it to the mini-league stage after dismissing Dynamos. I know how Dynamos play from my visit to Zimbabwe and it is not very different from the talent in my camp, so a win is possible for us.
In the game watched by Bright, Dynamos were missing the services of inspirational chief striker Cuthbert Malajila. On that day, Evans Gwekwerere led a DeMbare strike force that clearly lacked vision or innovativeness.
But to their credit, Dynamos were still good enough to see off the DRC outfit following a lone strike by midfielder Thabani Kamusoko. That victory earned Dynamos a ticket to the lucrative mini-league phase of the competition. And Chiweshe believes his team has been boosted by the return of Malajila who missed the tie against FC Lupopo due to injury.
“It’s good that Malajila is back in the team. He is a key member of the team. His presence alone inspires the team. We are also going into this match after we had just won the Independence Trophy. It’s also a morale booster,” said Chiweshe.
Gaborone United arrived in Harare on Wednesday, with a confident Bright wasting no time to declare war on Dynamos. “I feel I have a squad at my disposal which has the ability to beat any team. I joined this team a month ago and I am confident of beat Dynamos and sail through to the mini-league phase of the competition, he told reporters.
Dynamos go into todays match hoping to repeat their feat of 2008 when they reached the semi-finals of the African Champions League.
In 1998 Dynamos also reached the final of the lucrative African Champions League only to lose 2-4 to Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast.
Caps United
Meanwhile, Caps United will hope to put aside their hostile reception in Nigeria when they square up against Warri Wolves in the second round, first leg encounter of the Orange Caf Confederations Cup.
MaKepekepes training schedule was disrupted after the team was delayed at the airport for five hours before being booked in a run-down two-star hotel. But Chitembwe said he was hoping his players will have the mental toughness to stay focused on the game.
“I understand this to be part of African football and I hope my players will not always expect such an excellent treatment we got from South Africas Moroka Swallows (this month) or ENPPI of Egypt (in 2009). What is important is for them to stay focused on our mission, Chitembwe said.
Post published in: Football