Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE- Veteran Dynamos midfielder Murape Murape says the Harare giants should aim to progress to the mini-league stage of the Caf Confederation Cup when they face Angolan side Interclube in the qualifying play-offs next month.
DeMbare were drawn against their fellow Southern African side in a draw conducted at the Caf headquarters in Egypt yesterday and will begin their campaign in the second tier competition at home on July 1.
The reverse leg has been slotted for the weekend of July 13-15 at the Estadio 22 de Junho in Luanda. Murape, who has been a strong force in the Dynamos outfit in various campaigns over the years, yesterday said DeMbare should aim to compensate for the disappointment they suffered in this year’s Champions League campaign.
The Harare giants were relegated from the prestigious Champions League tournament after losing 7-1 on aggregate to holders Esperance but will have another chance to redeem themselves in the less glamorous competition — the Caf Confederation Cup — if they proceed to the group phase.
“We have to make up for the disappointment we experienced in the Champions League by qualifying for the mini-league stage of the Confederation Cup. I know that it requires a lot of hard work and focus but I have confidence in the team.
“If you look at the way we played against Esperance on Sunday at Rufaro you could feel that the guys have the zeal but it was unfortunate we had lost it in the first leg. But if we take it up from there we have the chance to progress,” said Murape.
Interclube, who were losing semi-finalists in the same competition last year, qualified for the play-off round with a comprehensive 6-1 aggregate win over Sudan’s El Amal Atbara in the second round.
They had begun their campaign on shaky ground following a 2-2 aggregate result against lowly Tana FC of Madagascar in the first round and only pulled through following a 6-5 penalty shootout victory in Angola.
Dynamos, on the other hand, beat Mozambique’s Liga Muculmana 3-2 on aggregate in the first round before losing the plot in Tunisia where they succumbed to a massive 6-0 hiding in the first leg of the second round. A 1-1 draw in the reverse leg at Rufaro on Sunday could not save matters.
Murape said DeMbare would need to maintain their focus although he hasn’t played against Angolan teams in a career spanning over 13 years at Dynamos.
“Starting at home means we have to try by all means to get a good result and then see what happens in the return leg. We have to make full use of home advantage because in Africa it is usually difficult when playing away. That is how it is.
“I haven’t played any team from Angola before but I remember we played the country’s national side at the Under-20 level sometime back.
“I understand their type of football is more or less similar to Mozambique’s. Of course we don’t know much about them but at this level of competition it doesn’t matter which opposition you are drawn against because there are no small teams in Africa.
“Everyone has an equal chance but it’s all about preparation and self-belief as a team. If our attitude is right then we can do it,” said Murape. Interclube are perennial campaigners in the Confederation Cup, with more than seven appearances in the competition during the last decade.
They were semi-finalists last year and their campaign came to an end when they lost to eventual winners Maghreb de Fes of Morocco. Interclube are not new to Zimbabwean opponents as they once played Mwana Africa in 2007. The Angolans lost 2-0 in the first leg and then drew 0-0 to crash out in the preliminary round.
Meanwhile, former Dynamos coach Sunday Chidzambwa’s South African side Black Leopards were handed a tougher Confederation Cup draw against Sudanese giants El Merrikh.
Despite their trials at home where they face relegation, Leopards progressed to the qualifying play-offs courtesy of an away goals rule victory over Warri Wolves of Nigeria.
Leopards confirmed their progress when they beat Warri Wolves 2-0 at Peter Mokaba on Sunday courtesy of Zimbabwean striker Kingstone Nkhata’s brace.
They had lost 3-1 in the first leg in Nigeria a fortnight ago. Edward Sadomba’s side Al Hilal will also be playing in the Confederation Cup after his side was eliminated from the Champions League. According to the draw, the Sudanese outfit will face CO Bamako of Mali.
Draws
Orange Caf Confederation Cup 2nd 1/8 finals
MAS (Morocco) v Léopards de Dolisie (Congo)
El Hilal (Sudan) v CO Bamako (Mali)
AFAD (CIV) v WAC (Morocco)
El Merrikh (Sudan) v Black Leopards (South Africa)
Djoliba (Mali) v Club Africain (Tunisia)
Dynamos (Zimbabwe) v Interclube (Angola)
Stade Malien (Mali) v COD Meknès (Morocco)
Coton Sport (Cameroon) v El Ahly Shandy (Sudan)
Orange CAF Champions League draw
Group A
Sunshine (Nigeria)
Esperance (Tunisia)
AS Chlef (Algeria)
ESS (Tunisia)
Group B
Ahly (Egypt)
TP Mazembe (RD Congo)
Berekum Chealsea (Ghana)
Zamalek (Egypt).
