Dynamos to meet its clone in African Safari

BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU
Democratic Republic of Congo’s Stade de la Kenya Stadium will be the theatre of a potentially attention-grabbing clash when Harare giants, Dynamos, clash with what appears its pale shadow in the 2010 Caf Champions League first round match, set for the weekend of March 19-21.
Dynamos who received a bye in the preliminary round due to their impressive performance in the previous competitions will load its ammunition in preparation of the first battle against DRC’s FC Lupopo.
Their opponents signed four of their former players at the beginning of this year.
FC Lupopo who dismissed Tanzania’s Young Africans on a 4-2 aggregate, in the preliminary round, will field former Glamour Boys, goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura, speedy forward Philip Marufu, midfielders Carrington Gomba and Mutshumayeli Moyo.
Marufu and Gomba scored a goal each when their new team dismissed Young Africans 3-2 in the first leg of the preliminary round match, in Zanzibar.
Gomba and his countrymen are bound to easily shackle off the pressure that comes with playing at such high level of competition with their knowledge of their opponents. Gomba last month hinted he would assist FC Lupopo draw a game plan that will make an ambush on the Harare giants.
DeMbare proved a strong force to consider in Africa when they reached the semi-finals under the guidance of former head coach, David Mandigora, in the 2008 edition of the showdown.
They missed the continental club competition last year after losing the local league championship title to Monomotapa, having failed to sustain the pressure that came with defending their title at home and impressing in Africa.
But their comeback into the jungles of African football has come with much anticipation for good results as the club’s followers expect another big fight.
“We will not talk of FC Lupopo because it is going to be a walk over despite them having some of our former players. We just want to start from where we left last year, get to the finals and make the 1998 dream a reality. We no longer want to be the best losers but simply the best,” said a Dynamos fan, Tafadzwa Muzara.
Dynamos reached the finals of the 1998 showcase to lose to Cote d’Voire’s Asec Mimosas.
Elvis Chiweshe understands the pressure his charges will be under to rise to the expectations of the team’s followers.
“It is because of the standards set by former players that Dynamos get an identity of a team that should not be beaten. While players will do their best to maintain those standards, fans should also learn to accept that there is a draw and loss that comes not because the team wishes,” said Chiweshe.