By Eddie Chikamhi
DYNAMOS marksman Takesure Chinyama makes a return to the Glamour Boys fold as they aim to get their act together against Chicken Inn in a tricky Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro tomorrow.
Chinyama, who last played in the 4-2 win over Hwange two weeks ago, has not been able to play in the club’s last two games due to a recurring knee injury.
The big striker, who has scored crucial goals for his team this season, trained with the rest of the squad yesterday and assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya welcomed his return to fitness.
Chinyama’s presence in the 18-member squad for tomorrow’s game will add options to the Dynamos strikeforce, which now has Zambian Derrick Kabwe, Martin Vengesai and Roderick Mutuma.
DeMbare got a boost last week when Kabwe and his midfield compatriot Arthur Kaseloki were finally granted their work permits after five months of waiting. Kaseloki, however, will not be available until probably after the mid-season transfer window opens in July as DeMbare had only one vacant slot left.
Ndiraya said they had to settle for Kabwe first since they felt the need to beef-up the strikeforce. Dynamos are coming from a 0-0 draw at Shabanie during the mid-week and assistant coach Ndiraya yesterday said the Glamour Boys would need to collect maximum points to keep their campaign in the right tracks.
“We are playing at home and we need to be offensive to get maximum points. So we had to sacrifice Leo (Kurauzvione) from the squad that travelled to Zvishavane because he is not 100 percent fit. Takesure will take his place. I think we now have more options in our strikeforce,” said Ndiraya.
Dynamos were relieved yesterday when midfielder Denver Mukamba, Partson Jaure and leftback Ocean Mushure who suffered knocks against Shabanie Mine were all declared fit to play but anchorman Milton Makopa was given more time to rest although he trained yesterday.
Makopa has been on the sidelines for nearly one month with a groin injury. Wonder Sithole is also available although injury worries still linger on the attacking midfielder.
Dynamos are currently second on the log standings with 13 points while Chicken Inn are sixth with 11 points. Ndiraya reckoned Chicken Inn are not to be taken lightly following their positive start this year and challenged his charges to raise their game.
“We didn’t play well at Shabanie. We are now at home and we have no option but to win although we have to be careful because Chicken Inn are a good side. We saw them when they played CAPS United here. They play as a team and I think they are very strong on aerial balls,” he said.
Chicken Inn were unbeaten in the opening five games of the season before suffering back-to-back defeats against newboys Hardbody and Buffaloes in their last two games. Coach Adam Ndlovu yesterday said the Gamecocks are eager to return to their winning ways but face a huge obstacle in Dynamos.
“We are still trying to come up following those two defeats and now we come up against one of the big teams in the league. It’s going to be difficult because Dynamos are more motivated especially after crashing out of the Champions League tournament.
“However, we will try our best because we also need the three points,” said Ndlovu. Chicken Inn will miss the services of veteran centre back Herbert Dick, Canaan Nkomo and Brighton Dube through injuries while Kudakwashe Mahachi is out on suspension.
But Ndlovu still has some of his players like Danny Phiri, Thomas Chimenya, Tendai Ndoro and Guide Goddard to count on.
Fixtures
Today:
Black Mambas v Shabanie Mine (Morris Depot), FC Platinum v Gunners (Mandava), Monomotapa v Quelaton (Rufaro), Blue Rangers v CAPS United (Gwanzura)
Tomorrow:
Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), Hardbody v Harare City (Ascot), Buffaloes v Motor Action (Sakubva), Highlanders v Hwange (Barbourfields)
Wednesday May 23:
Quelaton v Blue Rangers (Luveve), Hwange v Monomotapa (Colliery), Motor Action v Dynamos (Rufaro), Shabanie Mine v Highlanders (Maglas)
Thursday May 24:
CAPS United v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium), Harare City v Buffaloes (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Black Mambas (Luveve), Gunners v Hardbody (Lafarge).
