Augustine Hwata
18 March 2011
DYNAMOS captain Desmond Maringwa has challenged his troops to use their Champions League home clash against MC Alger to prove they have the pedigree to go all the way in the continental competition.
DeMbare host the Algerian champions in a first round, first leg clash at Rufaro tomorrow needing a victory that could give them a perfect start to their 2011 campaign.
The Glamour Boys, rated the ninth best club in Africa, had a bye in the preliminary round.
But tomorrow they begin yet another journey in search of continental glory with a date against an opposition marking their return to Champions League football after an 11-year absence.
Maringwa, who has years of Champions League experience garnered on the continent since he made his debut in African football 14 years ago, will lead a team brimming with a number of rookies who are eager to make a mark in the competition.
Dynamos have had an impressive build-up to the season in which they are unbeaten against local opponents.
Their skipper – who has seen it all – however, warned his teammates that the continental game was a different platform and said Dynamos needed to maintain high levels of concentration throughout tomorrow’s game against the quick North Africans.
Maringwa also has a knack of rising to the occasion on the grand stage and in April 2008 he set the tone for Dynamos’ qualification into the mini-league stage when he thumped home a powerful header that gave his side a 1-0 triumph over Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel at Gwanzura.
At the end of last season, Dynamos were thrown into a state of confusion following an exodus of players to other clubs.
Besides being loyal to the Harare giants, Maringwa is also the most experienced member in Lloyd Mutasa’s squad and he believes a win will give them a comfortable cushion ahead of the return leg in two weeks time in Algiers.
“Our preparations have been good, considering that we had that exodus of players but we have been joined by a group of exciting youngsters.
“I am happy that the new players are willing to learn and they have been asking us about the culture at Dynamos.
“Many of them are so excited and they just cannot wait to play in the Champions League.
“There are a number of good players in the team, but they have been playing for small teams.
“Although they were at small clubs, it does not mean that they did not have talent.
“Now is the real deal, the chance to play for the biggest club in Zimbabwe and in the Champions League,” said Maringwa.
“I think they have already showed from their previous clubs that they can play.
“But this stage now is the Champions League and many of them are so excited and motivated to do well,” said Maringwa.
Mutasa, who has been on a rebuilding exercise at DeMbare, is also not short of experience, what with with goalkeeper Washington Arubi, defenders David Kutyauripo, Guthrie Zhokinyu, George Magariro and striker Murape Murape all available for selection.
Farai Vimisayi and Milton Makopa have also played Champions League football before while Archieford Gutu has gained his experince from playing for the junior national teams and the Warriors.
“We have at least seven players who have played in the Champions League before.
“I think our presence will help the youngsters.
“The Champions League is a bit difficult because the teams that come to play you have more technical and tactical awareness and it demands that you maintain high levels of concentration.
“But I know our players will rise up and showcase what they can do,” said Maringwa.
Dynamos have been on a roll in the pre-season games winning against Renaissance (1-0), Motor Action (2-1 and 4-1 on penalties), CAPS United (3-2), Chrome Stars (4-0) Highlanders (1-0) and then drawing with Blue Ribbon in Mutare.
“Like I said we might have done well so far but teams in the Champions League are more technical and we have to guard against making mistakes.
“Any mistakes could be costly for us but at least we have these guys who have played in the Champions League before and their experience should come in handy for us,” said Maringwa.
Dynamos are no strangers to the Champions League having enjoyed their best moment in 1998 when they reached the final.
Since the beginning of the new mini-league format, Dynamos have reached the last eight on all the four occasions they have entered the competition.
But their captain now wants them to aim for more than just a place in the group stage.
“I think we have to go all the way to the final and lift the trophy.
“We need to be successful and we should also make use of home advantage.
“I know the fans will be behind us and will act as the 12th man,” said Maringwa.
MC Alger coach Noureddine Zekri has been boasting of having a thorough knowledge of Dynamos after having coached Entente du Sportive Setif of Algeria last year.
But Dynamos assistant coach Tichaona Diya said they had also done their homework on the Algerians but will try to focus much on what is happening in their camp.
“Our players have been doing well and we should be moving into camp ahead of the game.
“The coach for MC Alger might boast that he knows Dynamos but we have a new team.
“We understand Zekri is saying he knows Dynamos but this is different and the players are ready,” said Diya.
After yesterday’s final training session at Gwanzura, Mutasa settled for 20 players from the 22 they registered.
“For the Champions League, we had been focusing on 22 players and we have dropped just two for this encounter so we will pick our final 18 from those 20,” said Diya.
Mutasa has brought a new dimension to the Dynamos’ training sessions as he has been introducing new techniques based on the need to have a fluent passing game.
MC Alger’s poor home form could also be a boost for Dynamos’ confidence, but Maringwa insisted they would not read much into that.
The Algerians, however, have vowed to put behind them their poor form when they play Dynamos.
Yousef Sofiane, the team’s striker has hinted that their trump card is their coach.
He said Zekri’s insight of DeMbare, gained from his days at Setif will come in handy as they seek at least a crucial away goal.
l While the Harare giants prepare for battle at Rufaro tomorrow, the club’s board of directors could have a new leadership at the end of their annual meeting at the National Sports Stadium today.
It is a watershed meeting that could also present the biggest test to board of directors chairman Richard Chiminya’s 14-year tenure at the helm of the club’s founding fathers.
There has been a strong feeling within the DeMbare ranks that for Dynamos Football Club (Private) Limited to operate like the corporate entity it purports to be, Chiminya would have to either dramatically change his management style of the board or give way to a more vibrant and visionary leader of the Harare giants’ top policymaking body.
Dynamos Squad:
W. Arubi, K. Jimu, G. Bello, G. Zhokinyu, T. Magorimbo, G. Magariro, D. Chafa, D. Mukamba, T. Muparati, A. Gutu, N. Arufandika, F. Vimisayi, M. Makopa, T. Mamvura, D. Maringwa, M. Murape, R. Mutuma, P. Kumbula.
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