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Washington Pakamisa

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS striker Washington Pakamisa says he isn’t putting himself under immense pressure when the Glamour Boys go in search of goals in the first leg of the Champions League first round match against AS Vita at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.The big forward has started both matches in the preliminary round as a lone striker, but he faces serious competition for the starting place from Warriors striker Simba Sithole.

Patrick Khumbula, who is back in the fold after missing the previous assignment to Botswana, is also in contention but appears to be behind his colleagues in the pecking order.

The last time DeMbare were at the giant stadium, in a Champions League tie, Pakamisa scored two goals in his team’s 3-0 win over Botswana side Mochudi Centre Chiefs.

Despite the goals, he has an army of critics who argue that he misses more than he scores and, leading the DeMbare attacking line has never been an easy assignment and Pakamisa knows that every touch he takes is closely scrutinised.

Every chance he fluffs gives ammunition to those who believe that he isn’t the kind of forward who can be relied upon to supply the glut of goals their team needs to make a big impression in the Champions League.

Pakamisa told The Saturday Herald yesterday they were expecting to win with a comfortable margin while acknowledging the huge responsibility that lies on his shoulders and those of his teammates.

“As a striker you are expected to score in each and every game that you start,” said Pakamisa.
“There are many expectations from almost everyone and as a player you really need to get the goals but it is always good not to put yourself under a lot of pressure.

“Games are won by scoring goals but the more the pressure that you exert on yourself the more difficult it becomes to score.
“So we are calling on the supporters to rally behind the team all the way. We are the home team. Their support gives the players more energy and it can also help to get us to be composed.

“Our focus is on winning the game although we might not know much about them (AS Vita Club). We need to win at all costs and then wait for the second leg.”

Dynamos, who have been poor on the road in recent years, are hoping to make good use of the home advantage in the first leg.
Their opponents AS Vita Club are one of the big three clubs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, together with giants T.P Mazembe and DC Motema Pembe.

The Congolese side edged Nigeria’s campaigners Kano Pillars 4-3 in the preliminary round to set up a date with the Harare giants.
The teams will clash again next week in the Democratic Republic of Congo capital, Kinshasa, to conclude the tie with the victors proceeding to the last knockout round of the qualifiers where they face the winners of the tie between South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs and Liga Muculmana of Mozambique.

Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa is not likely to make significant changes to the team that played in the preliminary round.
Considering they were coming from the off-season, the side impressed with their cohesion in defence and midfield.

Pasuwa’s concern, instead, was on the team’s transition of play going forward and he has dedicated considerable time working on that aspect of their game this week.

Despite playing with one striker upfront, DeMbare have been employing an offensive approach which also calls on the midfielders to be heavily involved when going forward.

Newboys Ronald Chitiyo and Masimba Mambare have been very instrumental and have a goal each to show for their efforts in the last two matches.

It’s a game that the Glamour Boys know they can’t afford to concede a goal and Pasuwa and his assistants have a defence that, at home, has shown that it can be relied upon as a fortress.

DeMbare opened their campaign with a 3-0 home win against Chiefs before they were forced to a 1-1 draw in the return leg in Botswana two weeks ago.

They only had one week of rest in-between and yesterday they wrapped up their preparations with the technical team excited that most of the players were able to shake off knocks in time for this game.

However, newboy, Walter Mukanga, will not be available for selection as he is nursing a groin injury.  Dynamos have maintained the gate charges from the last match when they hosted Mochudi Centre Chiefs with the cheapest ticket for the rest of the ground marked at US$3. Bays 15-18 will cost US$10 while those supporters who want to watch the match from the VVIP enclosure will have to part with US$20.

DeMbare have been calling on their fans to come in their thousands, conscious that home support plays a big part in these contests, and while 20 000 fans could turn Rufaro, their old home into a fortress, the giant stadium is a big complex.

If they get 30 000 fans, which translates to half the sitting capacity of the stadium, it will be considered a good crowd and the noise from the stands could help drive the Glamour Boys forward.