HARARE Perennial African Champions League hopefuls Dynamos will go for maximum points when they meet reigning champions TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the National Sports Stadium in Harare this afternoon, their first game in the mini-league phase of the competition.
Coach Elvis Chuchu Chiweshe said DeMbare, who have featured in the competition several times before but have never won the top prize, will have to fight for every point to enhance their chances of progressing to the next round.
Unlike in the previous knock-out stages round where Dynamos could afford the luxury of losing a game, Chiweshe said there was zero tolerance for mistakes as they seek to bag all points to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
In the knock-out phase Dynamos beat Gaborone United of Botswana 4-1 at the NSS, but lost 1-0 in the return match and still progressed to the mini-league phase on goal aggregate.
Dynamos were drawn in a tough Group A that has reigning champions TP Mazembe and Entente Setif of Algeria who play Esperance of Tunisia in the other pool game this weekend.
Al-Ahly and Ismaily from Egypt, JS Kabylie of Algeria and Nigerias Heartland make up Group B.
The two top teams in each pool at the completion of the round-robin matches will play in the Champions League semi-finals.
“This is now a different stage of the competition,” said Chiweshe. “We need to play more positive football. I am sure from Sunday we are going to be positive in our approach to all matches. At this stage of the competition, we need to collect points so that we can qualify for the next round. We will be going all out there to attack from the onset.
“There is no need for us to try and focus on defending any goals. The aim is to collect maximum points,” said Chiweshe.
The match against TP Mazembe will be Dynamos second competitive game in a month.
Dynamos, who lead the local premiership standings, with eight wins following their 2-0 win over Eagles in a mid week fixture last Wednesday had been in top form before the break for the World Cup and are boosted by their victory over Eagles who had given them problems since last season when they beat them 2-1 before drawing the reverse fixture 0-0.
Chiweshe declared a clean bill of health in his camp, adding he has kept his players busy with training and friendly matches to maintain fitness levels.
“It was not only Dynamos who had a lay-off because of the World Cup but I am sure it will not affect the players much. On our part, we played friendly games to keep going and have been training,” he said.
TP Mazembe are not taking Dynamos lightly and were having a training camp in Zambias Copperbelt where they played four matches against local Zambian sides.
TP Mazembe coach Diego Garzitto has vowed to lift another title. He said “The Champions League is not a league to play with, it is strong and tough and people who play in that league should be tough and strong also.”
“TP Mazembe is a big and strong team and we are going to make sure that we win the Champions League once more,” said Garzitto.
Post published in: Football