HARARE Zimbabwean football giants Dynamos now face an uphill task in their quest to reach the semi-finals of the African Champions League after they lost 1-0 to Tunisian giants Esperance at the weekend- their second defeat in Group A.Having failed to capitalise on home advantage when they hosted reigning African champions TP Mazembe, who beat them 2-0 in their first match in the group two weeks back, Dynamos were hoping to come out with at least a point away in Tunis to revive a faltering campaign.
However, a combination of poor officiating which saw the home team being awarded a controversial penalty and lack of prowess in front of goal left Dynamos with a whole mountain to climb.
Now, as coach Elvis “Chuchu” Chiweshe digests the events in Tunisia at the weekend, Dynamos are aware that they have to roll up their sleeves if they have any chance of advancing to the last four of the tournament- a stage they reached in their last dance with African football under the guidance of David Mandigora in 2008.
Chiweshe, however, believes his side can bounce back despite suffering two defeats in the group.
“We will fight to the bitter end. We are still in with a chance but this has complicated things for us because we were supposed to have gained at least a point so far. Nonetheless, we will have to utilize home advantage and collect six points from the remaining two home matches and then fight for another six points in our remaining two away matches,” said the Dynamos gaffer.
Only the top two teams in the group will qualify for the semi-finals. Dynamos still have two home games against Algeria’s Entente Seitif and Tunisia’s Esperance and away trips to DRC and Algeria before completing their Group A matches. –
Post published in: Football