Zimpapers Logo

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS vice-captain Ocean Mushure has returned from injury and is ready to lead his teammates into Premiership battle tomorrow as the Glamour Boys look to rediscover their winning formula against ZPC Kariba.

Mushure, who missed the first encounter which ended goalless at Rufaro two weeks ago, has recovered from a groin injury.

The former Warriors fullback is expected to take the captain’s armband from midfield hardman Stephen Alimenda who is suspended this week for accumulating three yellow cards in previous assignments.

Alimenda got a soft booking for remonstrating against referee Arnold Ncube during the match against ZPC Kariba and was fortunate not to be sent off for a second booking after a late challenge on Protasho Kabwe.

Mushure expects to reclaim his place in the team from Carlos Rusere who played makeshift leftback in the last assignment.

“Obviously when Alimenda is not around, as the assistant, I automatically step in and become the man in charge. It’s just the same even when he is around. I am the assistant, so the responsibility is always there,” said Mushure.

“It’s been a while since we won a match and all the boys are keen to start winning again. But ZPC Kariba are a strong team, so we have to work for it.

“The good thing is that most of the games we won this season have been away matches. So we are looking forward to winning again.”

Alimenda is one of the three players who will miss the weekend games because of yellow cards.

CAPS United defender Stephen Makatuka and Chicken Inn midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu have also been sanctioned.

Dynamos assistant coach Murape Murape said they will soldier on without Alimenda, the most experienced player in their squad.

“We would want to have all our players in games like these, but it also gives someone a chance to prove himself given the opportunity to play in Stephen’s place.

“That is why we have registered about 28 or 29 players. Everyone should play. No one is here to make the numbers. I think we have players that we know can give us results. Of course we will miss Stephen, but that should not be the end of it all,” said Murape.

The two weeks break have been helpful to Dynamos who also welcomed long term casualties Elisha Muroiwa and Valentine Ndaba back at training.

Murape revealed the players still need more attention.

“Of course they are back, but it doesn’t mean in a week’s time they are ready. Probably they need a month or so for them to play competitive football again.

“For Valentine and Elisha, I don’t think there are near returning to playing competitive football. If you look at Elisha, his injury needs special care from the doctors and the ground that we are using is a hard surface as well.

“So if you push him too hard he may end up staying longer on the sidelines. So we need to be careful with him, the same with Valentine.

“Ocean is back, the doctors are assessing him and we will have the final say maybe on Friday or Saturday because he has been running with a bit of a limp and hopefully it will be all cleared by Saturday.

“It was good that we went on the break so that we could work on some of the weak points we noticed during the first half of the season,” said Murape.

DeMbare have this week roped in new players who include veteran striker Jacob Muzokomba, Marshall Machazane and Takunda Sadiki.

The trio were yet to get their clearances from their previous clubs by yesterday.