HARARE - Dynamos will come across an in-form Mochudi Centre Chiefs (MCC) when the two teams clash in the African Champions League preliminary qualifiers at the weekend.
The Botswana beMobile Premiership is now in the second half of the season with 20 games played and MCC, who are in second place on the log standings, are fighting for the title against Township Rollers.
Centre Chiefs currently have 40 points and trail leaders Rollers by just two points. The two teams played out a goalless draw at the weekend.
The reigning Botswana champions, who are now under the guidance of Serbian coach Dragojlo Stanojlovic, have only suffered two defeats in their last 10 matches.
The Gaborone-based side, who are popularly known as Magosi, are in a good position to defend their title if they can close the gap on Rollers in the remaining 10 games of the season.
In those 20 matches, MCC have scored 34 goals at an average of 1.7 goals per game while conceding only 15.
Most of those goals have come at home as Magosi have plundered in 21 gaols at an average of 1.91 per game.
The fact that they have played 20 games into the 2013-14 season gives Stanojlovic’s men the edge over Dynamos when it comes to match fitness.
Zimbabwe’s domestic Premiership is currently off-season and Dynamos have only played three warm-up matches this year.
The Harare giants first drew with newly-promoted top flight side Chapungu 1-1 at Gwanzura Stadium a week ago before they beat army side Black Rhinos last Saturday.
In their third warm-up match on Sunday, DeMbare drew 0-0 with Zimbabwe’s representatives in the African Confederation Cup, How Mine, at Rufaro Stadium.
Dynamos’ preparations were also heavily affected by the Zimbabwe national team’s participation at the just ended African Nations Champions (Chan) in South Africa.
Seven DeMbare players were in that Warriors squad that reached the semifinals before losing to Libya, only returning to Zimbabwe yesterday at 9pm.
Dynamos coach Calisto Pasuwa was also away in South Africa for the Chan tournament as he is the assistant to Warriors coach Ian Gorowa.
In Pasuwa’s absence, the team has been training under the guidance of assistant coach Philemon Mutyakureva while former Warriors assistant coach David Mandigora, who is the Dynamos vice-chairperson, has also been helping out.
Meanwhile, MCC general manager Sebele Morakanyane is expected in Harare tomorrow to prepare for Magosi’s arrival later in the week.
“Preparations for the away game in Harare, Zimbabwe on February 9 are well underway and at advanced stage. General Manager of Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Mr. Sebele Morakanyane leaves for Harare on Wednesday, February 5, to iron out a few logistical issues for both the team and the supporters,” MCC announced on their official Facebook page yesterday.
A number of MCC supporters are expected to travel to Harare for the first leg as the club has availed a facility to enable their faithful to make the trip.
The Magosi fns are expected to pay P900 ($97) per person for transport and one night’s accommodation while in Harare for the encounter.