Finest moment beckons for GU

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday April 23, 2010 00:00

 

The Gaborone club flew to Harare on Wednesday and when they return on Monday, the Reds might be only 90 minutes away from a place in the lucrative group stage.

It will not be a walk in the park before an intimidating crowd at the giant National Sports Stadium this weekend.GU strolled over their Mauritian opponents, Curepipe Starlight in the first round, winning 6-0 on aggregate.

But they are aware of Dynamos' impeccable record in CAF competitions and head to Harare as underdogs. This is the situation GU found themselves in when they touched down in Port Elizabeth for their preliminary round second leg encounter against South Africa giants Orlando Pirates. But after 90 minutes, they left behind broken hearts in the Pirates camp, pulling a sensational 2-2 draw to become the first Botswana club to progress in the CAF Champions League. Every GU fan craves for such a moment, another heroic and historic performance to catapult their club to the group stage.  Despite an indifferent run in the be MOBILE Premier League, the Reds have not lost in four Champions League games.

They started the campaign with a 0-0 draw against Pirates before a 2-2 draw away. Then came the identical 3-0 drubbing of Starlight home and away. However, this record would be put to the test in Harare where Dynamos have not lost in CAF competitions for years.

The Zimbabweans will start as favourites given home ground advantage and their record in Africa. In their last participation in CAF Champions League in 2007, De Mbare reached the semis where they lost to Cotton Sport of Cameroon. GU have already outplayed themselves and now hold the Botswana record of best performers in CAF competitions.

David Bright acknowledged the task facing his boys but said Dynamos can be beaten.

GU will rely on bearded attacking midfielder, Stephen Maposa, Vincent Phiri and Mandla Mgadla for a shock away victory. Mgadla's pace down the wing is sure to trouble the home defence while striker, Ronald Chikomo has to be sharp in front of goal.

Speaking to Mmegi Sport early this week, Dynamos' coach, Elvis 'Chuchu' Chiweshe said he was confident his side will progress to the next round. He said he knew little about GU although he has watched them play on television.

Chiweshe believes Dynamos must use home ground advantage to secure a comfortable win going into the second leg in Gaborone in a fortnight.

He will look up to the deadly Cuthbert Malajila who was among the leading goal scorers in Zimbabwe last season. Chiweshe told state-owned daily, the Herald that although his team was sluggish against FC Lupopo in the last round, fans will see a different Dynamos on Sunday.