HARARE - Reigning league champions, Gunners FC,s celebration for a victory against Zanzibari outfit Mafunzo FC last Sunday has not lasted long as the technical department have realised the work they have yet to do. Gunners outclassed their hosts with David Rediyoni and Norman Maroto scoring for a 2-1 victory, in the first leg of the preliminary round, away from home.
Head coach, Darlington Dodo, recognised the fight is still on as he prepares his charges for the amendment of their mistakes on the second battlefield, in Harare next week.
“Finishing was a big problem as we failed to convert the chances that we created but other than that I thought the guys played well and according to instructions. We should be able to finish them off when they come to Harare in two weeks,” said Dodo.
The league champions, who are affectionately known as Chando kupisa, need to not limit themselves or their ability and play their opponents game. Their preliminary round fixture against fellow debutants, Mafunzo, is relatively an easier task than the awaiting first round encounter.
The winner of the two legged preliminary round tie between Dodos charges and Mafunzo will meet African giants, Al Ahly.
Despite club president, Cuthbert Chitima, insisting we are also a big team as we are playing in the Champions League, and the traditional saying from coaches of taking each game as it comes Gunners will need to raise their game and take their next assignment as a serious preparation for the Egyptian giants.
Mafunzo FC won the Zanzibar premier soccer league championship title for the first time, since 1981. They replaced Miembeni FC, which was dismissed by Monomotapa in the preliminary round of the African Safari, last year.
Five-time champions, Al Ahly, received a bye together with Dynamos (Zimbabwe), Asec Mimosas (Cote di Voire), Al Hilal (Sudan), Heartland (Nigeria) and TP Mazembe (Democratic Republic of Congo).
Post published in: Football