Pasuwa eyes Gushungo Cup

PASUWA NATIONALEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS coach Callisto Pasuwa has revealed his pleasant surprise by the quick return to fitness of the bulk of his “injured’’ players who all reported for training yesterday as the Harare giants prepare for their Gushungo Cup showdown against Highlanders on Sunday.

DeMbare return to the National Sports Stadium — the venue of their final 2014 Castle Lager Premiership battle where a 2-0 triumph over How Mine, coupled with ZPC Kariba’s 3-2 defeat by CAPS United at Gwanzura — ensured they completed a remarkable fourth successive championship title under Pasuwa.

The Glamour Boys have, however, been forced to put on hold their championship celebrations as they seek to add another silverware and add the Gushungo Cup which comes with a US$45 000 winners’ cheque.

While he had to scramble for playing staff for their final league game against How Mine, with at least 11 regulars missing through “injuries”, suspensions and other reasons, Pasuwa yesterday had a full house at training with 35 players turning up at their session.

There was a blip to the DeMbare training earlier in the morning after they found out their training equipment had been locked away at Zimphos training complex over some outstanding dues to the caretaker at the Msasa venue.

Dynamos, according to sources, had to quickly switch to the National Sports Stadium for yesterday’s session but for a club of their magnitude, the Harare giants ought to have done better than avoid the ignominy of having to scrounge for a few balls and equipment in order to get their preparations underway.

But, once the training got off, Pasuwa realised he would have to grapple with a selection dilemma with such players like midfield workhorse Stephen Alimenda, Devon Chafa, Tafadzwa Rusike, centre-back Augustine Mbara, Rodreck Mutuma, Anesu Gondo and Washington Pakamisa reporting for training.

Pasuwa only had two natural strikers — Simba Sithole and Farai Mupasiri — at his disposal for the game against How Mine.

He said Dynamos were eager to claim the Gushungo Cup.

“Last week we had half of the team on the injury list and so far we don’t know whether they were all really injured or not but that is what they were claiming.

“This week I now have 35 players who are training and it’s a surprise to me also.

“So, we will have to assess the fitness levels for one to be considered for the Gushungo Cup game but I must say we are definitely prepared for the Cup. It’s very interesting, every player is willing to play, which is good on our side.

“Having won the championship they are motivated and you can even see maybe with the way they are training it shows that they want to play in this Cup,” said Pasuwa.

The Dynamos coach also reckoned that there would be less pressure for his charges in Sunday’s showdown against Bosso compared to the tense moments that clouded their last two assignments against ZPC Kariba and How Mine at the giant stadium.

Pasuwa said he had noted on his return from national duty with the Young Warriors that some of his players had virtually given up on the championship after the defeat to ZPC Kariba.

“I think most of the players had surrendered (the title hopes) already. They thought, maybe, the league championship was gone and when I came back I only saw 20 or 19 players that were training and all the other guys were saying they are injured.

“But to my surprise all the guys are fit again, they are now training and if you have an injury which prevents you from playing you can’t rest for two days then immediately you are fit enough to be included in the team again?

“Maybe, some of the guys don’t have character but like we said we wanted to play to the last game of the season and then see what happens. And the way they behaved, it showed that maybe some of them are still not strong mentally.

“So we will see as the week goes by but I cannot say we are going to make wholesale changes again.”

Although Dynamos have dominated their League and Cup meetings against Bosso, including beating the Bulawayo giants in the Bob90 Super Cup, Pasuwa insists he would not let that history get into the heads of his players.

“I am believer of the fact that every game that comes is a new game. You have to prepare for it mentally . . . you don’t have to talk of history when you are playing football.

“Yes, you might say we don’t train because we have been winning against Highlanders which is wrong, you need to be psychologically fit, tactically and technically sound in order for you to win that game,” said Pasuwa.

With the Gushungo Cup beckoning and the Mbada Diamonds Cup also lurking on the horizon, the 44-year-old coach also said he had temporarily put on hold any further public discussions about his move to quit at the end of his contract on December 31.

“I have noticed that there might be more confusion on my players if I keep saying something and the executive is saying another thing so we will concentrate on the games at hand for now,’’ Pasuwa said.

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey