HARARE - Dynamos' trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo suffered another snag yesterday after they had to delay their departure until this morning after failing to secure seats on their scheduled flight.
The Harare giants were scheduled to flight out for Kinshasa yesterday morning to the DRC where they face AS Vita in the second leg of their African Champions League first round qualifier tomorrow.
DeMbare, however, had to abort their departure yesterday afternoon after they failed to get the seats on a Kenyan Airways flight from Harare International Airport.
The Glamour Boys were expected to fly out to Kinshasa at 2am this morning and would arrive in Kinshasa around 10am before heading straight to train at the match venue this afternoon.
The delay in departure comes at a time after Dynamos coach Calisto Pasuwa lost valuable training time following a player revolt at the club over unpaid bonuses.
For two days the Glamour Boys players refused to train until they were paid their outstanding winning bonuses going as far back from last season.
DeMbare secretary-general Webster Chikengezha, however, told Daily News that they delayed going to Kinshasa in order to minimise costs.
“We were forced to postpone our trip because Ethiopian Airways cancelled their Monday flight. The team will now fly at 2am using Kenyan Airways. I can assure our fans that everything is in control,” said Chikengezha.
“We couldn’t travel because we have wanted to return on Monday as it would be cheaper for us. The team will now return Monday morning.
The Glamour Boys are reeling under financial challenges and are said to have secured funds for the trip late.
Pasuwa is however, not concerned by the disturbances and has called on his players to remain focused on the task at hand.
DeMbare need to win or force a scoring draw to reach the second leg of the competition after the first leg of the encounter ended goalless at the National Sports Stadium last week.
“I know most people have written us off but we will do much of the talking after the match. We are going there to win and progress to the next round. We need to stay focused,” Pasuwa told Daily News.
Defending pair of Partson Jaure and Sydney Linyama were included in the travelling squad and are expected to feature in tomorrow’s match.
Jaure, who missed Thursday’s training session with diarrhea, and Linyama, who had a boil on his thigh, were major doubts for the trip but they trained yesterday and are available for selection.
There was however no place for striker Washington Pakamisa, who has a knee problem.
Also included in the team is Devon Chafa, who is making a comeback after serving a six-month ban for a doping offence.
DeMbare sailed through to the first round with relative ease courtesy of an impressive 4-1 aggregate win over Botswana champions Mochudi Centre Chiefs last month.
Squad: George Chigova, Artwell Mukandi, Thomas Magorimbo, Oscar Machapa, Ocean Mushure, Augustine Mbara, Partson Jaure, Sydney Linyama, Themba Ndlovu, Stephen Alimenda, Walter Mukanga, Devon Chafa, Tawanda Muparati, Cliff Sekete, Ronald Chtiyo, Masimba Mambare, Murape Murape, Simba Sithole.