• Goal shy Highlanders strikers on the spot • Dynamos, Highlanders meet in Charity Shield • 2008 Premier Soccer League Fixtures • Dynamos draw CAPS in season opener • Highlanders parade new signings • Zifa extends transfer window to February 29 • Majabvi on trials at SA club • Highlanders unveil 5 new players • Majabvi, Murape and Sadomba get new deals • Highlanders call press conference to unveil Khumalo • Orlando Pirates chase Highlanders goalie • Free State Stars sign CAPS FC's Nkatha • MTL Wanderers say Gumbo's job safe • Khumalo set for new Highlanders role • Murape Murape wins Soccer Star of the Year award • Rhinos, Hwange and Mwana Africa relegated • Relegation battle goes to the wire • Dynamos clinch league and cup double • 2007 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

By Nkanyiso Moyo

DYNAMOS restart their African Champions League romance this Sunday against Royal Leopards of Swaziland in Mbabane -- exactly 10 years after their last dance ended in the finals in Abidjan against Asec Mimosas.

It was in the summer of 1998, when they succumbed 4-2 to the youthful Mimosas side that has produced world class stars in the mould of Chelsea’ Didier Drogba, Arsenal’ Kolo Toure and his brother Yaya, who is at Barcelona.

After that spell Dynamos went 10 years without a league title, finally winning one in 2007, plus a cup, to earn them a ticket back into Africa.

Dynamos coach David Mandigora refuses to dwell on past conquests, but he is convinced his current class of Dynamos players can rekindle the memories of a decade ago.

Mandigora has splashed on new players, paraded in the 1-1 draw with Highlanders on Sunday.

He said: “This match has given us the opportunity to work on one or two issues and gain the much needed confidence ahead of the Champions League match.

“Highlanders are tough opposition and when you play them and come out unscathed, the boys get some confidence.”

Mandigora fielded a number of new players including Brighton Tuwaya from Lancashire Steel, Admire Dzukamanja formerly of Highlanders and Douglas Warriors, Benjamin Marere, Thomas Sweswe (Mwana Africa), Lazarus Muhoni (Black Rhinos) and Mtshumayeli Moyo of Shooting Stars.

The shining star seemed to be Marere, who put Zephaniah Ngodzo to the test the whole afternoon and eventually swept him off the ball in the 80th minute to create the equaliser converted by Muhoni.

Mandigora might have the personnel, but his biggest challenge may yet be getting the right combinations.

Dzukamanja appeared overweight and Justice Majabvi, stripped of the captaincy in the off-season, has a long way to regain his fitness after bunking a few practise sessions.

Mandigora admits he has little knowledge of their opponents on Sunday.

He said: “I know little about them, but the fact that they are playing in the Champions League means they are a good side.

“They are playing at home and all matches at this level are tricky, but we need to get that away goal and then finish them at home.”
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
ozzie@newzimbabwe.com