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Ocean Mushure

Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS left-back Ocean Mushure — who missed training early this week after complaining of a severe headache — was up and about yesterday, giving his coach more options for positions when the Harare giants play As Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Champions League first round, first leg tie at the National Sports on Saturday.
Mushure did not feature in the preliminary round against Mochudi Centre Chiefs of Botswana as the Dynamos technical team preferred Augustine Mbara in the role.

Mbara could have been preferred because of better levels in match fitness after he was part of the Warriors squad at the recent African Nations Championship but it was his cover Mushure who was a little cause for concern.

Mushure missed training on Tuesday but he was among the players working out at Zimphos Ground yesterday.
Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa was not willing to reveal much on his team’s preparations.

However, Pasuwa, who is also the Warriors assistant coach, was pleased to have the player on the road to recovery.
“Our preparations were okay for today, we had Ocean Mushure coming back at training while Walter Mukanga failed to recover,” said Pasuwa.

The highly rated Mukanga, who plays as a defensive midfielder failed to shake off a groin injury and is now doubtful to make it for Saturday’s encounter.

Mushure was happy to have recovered and said he was ready to challenge for a place in the team after he seemed to have fallen down the pecking order.

“I had a headache early in the week and the doctor advised me to take a rest. Now I am no longer feeling the pain although my lips are still blistered,” said Mushure.

Dynamos are looking at getting a healthy lead in the first leg before travelling to Kinshasa for reverse fixture next week.
In his current squad Pasuwa only has three recognized strikers in Washington Pakamisa, Simba Sithole and Patrick Khumbula who all trained yesterday.

Pasuwa could also count on wingers Ronald Chitiyo and Masimba Mambare to help in the search for goals.
Dynamos know that a healthy home victory will give them a better cushion as the Zimbabwe champions have struggled to register an away victory in the Champions League since 2010 when they beat FC Eloi Lupopo of the DRC in the first round.

DeMbare will use this afternoon training session at the National Sports Stadium to get another feel of the match venue as it could be occupied by the visitors AS Vita tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said the association was still trying to bring Dynamos and national broadcaster ZBC to agree on the live screening of the match.

Dynamos want ZBC to pay them US$30 000 to beam live their match on Saturday but it appears ZBC were not in a position to pay the amount and had opted to give the club some airtime to sell to advertisers.

“We are still trying to bring both ZBC and Dynamos to agree on the way forward.
“I feel it’s important that games of this magnitude should be shown live on national television.

“Dynamos have the rights for this match and we are still to bring them to the table,” said Gwesela. In another development, St Michel who are playing How Mine in the Caf Confederations Cup are scheduled to arrive in Harare this morning before connecting to Bulawayo by road later in the day.

How Mine will play the side from Seychelles in the first round at Barbourfields on Saturday.