With the media circus surrounding the make up of the final Champions League squad finally over, Lloyd Samaita Mutasa and his technical team can get own to the real business of preparing in earnest for the start of the 2011 season. De Mbare welcome back national team goalkeeper Washington Arubi who had an excellent season in 2010 who will be joined by fellow stDynamos retain the core of their rock solid rear guard, who conceded the least number of goals in the 2010 league all season and would have had an equally impressive record in the Champions League had the Glamour Boys not been reduced to 10 men in their away match against Setif. Guthrie Zhokinyi was in imperious form in 2010, not only defending well but using his skill on the ball to bomb forward and notch up critical goals. Mr cool George Magariro was as calm as anyone under pressure and his experience at this level will prove invaluable. Dynamos Junior programme graduate Dragan Shuva set to make his debut with the best defenders in the land and should grow with game time.
De Mbares engine room looks extremely interesting with no shortage of creativity, featuring three of Zimbabwes most exciting young players in Denver Mukamba, Archieford Gutu and Nicholas Alifandika. Archie has already settled into De Mbares squad after joining late last year and should be even more dangerous. Alifandika is an extremely tricky customer, and with his skill on the ball can cause opposing defenders to do the splits trying to thwart his dribbling wizardry. The exuberance of youth is nicely balanced with proven experience, with Wonder Sithole and Desmond Maringwa sure to feature with the potential to change games. The solid steel is provided by the impressive Timire Mamvura and industrious Milton Makopa who break down opposition manoeuvres and provide cover for the rear guard.
The strike force features some names that the De Mbare faithful may not be very familiar with, but are names they will know soon as they have been selected ahead of many others. Coach Lloyd Mutasa has himself been to the Champions League final as a player, so knows what is required at that level. The likes of Francis Kanda, Roderick Mutumwa, Patrick Khumbula and Charles Chiutsa are well aware that leading the De Mbare attack is a role where possibly only Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Coast can claim to be under greater pressure. All of them are hungry and have a point to prove that they can deliver for the best team in Zimbabwe.
Squad List:
Goalkeepers: Maxwell Nyamupangedengu, Knowledge Jimu, Washington Arubi.
Defenders: David Kutyauripo, Augustine Mbara, George Magariro, Guthrie Zhokinyu, Thomas Magorimbo, Dominic Benati, Dragan Shuva, Gift Bello.
Midfielders: Archieford Gutu, Nicholas Alifandika, Timire Mamvura, Devon Chafa, Denver Mukamba, Tawanda Mapurati, Desmond Maringwa, Wonder Sithole, Milton Makopa.
Strikers: Roderick Mutumwa, Patrick Khumbula, Murape Murape, Francis Kanda, Charles Chiutsa,
Post published in: Football