• Davids slay Goliath of African football • Dynamos storm into Champions League semis • Marufu double sinks ASEC, throws Dynamos lifeline • Do-or-die for Dynamos in Abidjan • Desperate Dynamos cling to slim hope • Last gasp goal denies Dynamos point in Cairo • Dynamos fall to Zamalek, stay second • Giant-killing Dynamos claim Asec scalp • Dynamos beat African champions • Dynamos survive Mozambique scare • Dynamos take commanding lead over Sol

By Nkanyiso Moyo
Posted to the web 03/10/2008 13:58:12
DYNAMOS’ road to the Holy Grail starts this Sunday when they face Coton Sport Garou of Cameroon in the first leg of the Africa Champions League semi-finals at Rufaro.

Having conquered 1998 champions Asec Mimosas from Ivory Coast, 2007 champions Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia and five time Champions League winners Zamalek of Egypt on their way to the last four, Dynamos are much favoured to continue their giant killing exploits.

The West Africans reportedly sent in a two-man spy team to watch the Zimbabwean champions train -- sparking a volley of protests.

The officials are said to have been driven on their spying mission by the controversial ZIFA programmes and competitions manager Jonathan Musavengana. Dynamos abandoned their session as they protested against the pair’s presence.

Musavengana rejected Dynamos’ accusations: “I have worked hard to ensure that everything is well for Dynamos in the Champions League.

"It’s true that I went to Rufaro and was coming to the pitch through the tunnel, but as soon as I realised that Dynamos were training, we retreated.

"I told the guy that we could not proceed because Dynamos were training and as a football person I know that some people are not allowed at such training sessions.

"We never spent anything more than five minutes as we retreated.”

Dynamos coach David Mandigora was this week playing his cards close to his chest about the happenings in his camp.

But what is clear is that Dynamos need a healthy first leg lead. They will have to do that without first choice goalkeeper Willard Manyatera who is suspended.

Mandigora is likely to start with the same team that beat Zamalek, save for goalkeeper Zondai Nyaungwa who will take Manyatera’s place.

If Mandigora starts with the team that beat Zamalek, that means there is no place for hero David Shoko whose late free kick earned them the 1-0 win.

This will not be the first time that Nyaungwa has played in the Champions League as he was in the team that beat ASEC Mimosas 2-0 in the opening match of the mini-league.

Midfield destroyer Justice Majabvi and veteran Desmond Maringwa will be tasked with making sure that the two strikers Edward Sadomba and Phillip Marufu have a
clean supply the whole afternoon with Murape Murape playing behind them.

Maringwa, however, is struggling with injury together with Wonder Sithole. Thomas Sweswe, Brighton Tuwaya and Sam Mutenheri will fortify the defence.

Cotonsport arrived in the country on Thursday and have been training at Gwanzura Stadium, but have barred reporters from covering their sessions.

Dynamos have been training at Rufaro. On Thursday, Murape told reporters that only victory would do.

“We just need a win and nothing else. Everybody must come and support us even those who are not Dynamos supporters. This is a national issue,” said the veteran striker.

The champions have been denied permission by the Reserve Bank to charge in foreign currency. The cheapest ticket is selling for $10 000.

MTN CAF Champions League Champions League 2008

Semi-Final Fixtures:
1st Leg:

Enyimba v Al-Ahly (03-05/10/2008)

Dynamos v Coton Sport (03-05/10/2008)

2nd Leg:

Ahly Ahly v Enyimba (17-19/10/2008)

Coton Sport v Dynamos (17-19/10/2008)

GROUP A

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
Al Ahly	6	3	3	0	9	6	12
Dynamos	6	3	0	3	6	6	9
Asec Mimosas	6	1	3	2	7	6	6
Zamalek	6	1	2	3	4	8	5

18-20/07/08: Al Ahly 2-1 Zamalek
18-20/07/08: Dynamos 2-1 Asec Mimosas

01-03/08/08: Zamalek 1-0 Dynamos
01-03/08/08: Asec Mimosas 0-0 Al Ahly

15-17/08/08: Al Ahly 2-1 Dynamos
15-17/08/08: Zamalek 0-0 Asec Mimosas

29-31/08/08: Asec Mimosas 3-0 Zamalek
29-31/08/08: Dynamos 0-1 Al Ahly

12-14/09/08: Zamalek 2-2 Al Ahly
12-14/09/08: Asec Mimosas 1-2 Dynamos

19-21/09/08: Al Ahly 2-2 Asec Mimosas
19-21/09/08: Dynamos 1-0 Zamalek

GROUP B

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
Coton Sport	6	3	1	2	6	5	10
Enyimba	6	3	0	3	10	10	9
TP Mazembe	6	2	2	2	7	5	8
Al Hilal	6	1	3	2	7	10	6

18-20/07/08: Al Hilal 3-2 Enyimba
18-20/07/08: Coton Sport 1-0 TP Mazembe

01-03/08/08: Enyimba 2-0 Coton Sport
01-03/08/08: TP Mazembe 0-0 Al Hilal

15-17/08/08: Enyimba 2-0 TP Mazembe
15-17/08/08: Al Hilal 1-1 Coton Sport

29-31/08/08: Coton Sport 1-0 Al Hilal
29-31/08/08: TP Mazembe 3-0 Enyimba

12-14/09/08: Enyimba 4-1 Al Hilal
12-14/09/08: TP Mazembe 2-0 Coton Sport

19-21/09/08: Coton Sport 3-0 Enyimba
19-21/09/08: Al Hilal 2-2 TP Mazembe

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