BACK TO BUSINESS FOR DEMBARE

Langton Nyakwenda 

Sports Reporter

DYNAMOS players finally returned to business and trained for the first time within a week at Alex Sports Club ahead of their massive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Battle of Zimbabwe showdown against Highlanders at Rufaro on Sunday.

The players downed tools last Thursday, and the industrial action persisted until yesterday morning when the club’s executive promised to deposit the money by the end of the day yesterday. 

A host of players later told Zimpapers Sports Hub that they had later received their dues. 

The players had earlier agreed to also train “out of respect for the big game against Highlanders” as they finally decided to give the management some benefit of the doubt on their promise to settle the outstanding bonuses. 

Those players who have featured in all of Dynamos’ 17 matches in the first half of the season are owed about US$1,050 in outstanding bonuses. 

DeMbare pays US$100 for a win, an amount that rises to US$200 when they play against the top sides like Highlanders, CAPS United, FC Platinum, and Ngezi Platinum Stars. 

The Harare giants pay US$50 for a draw, which rises to US$100 against those top sides. 

They have wins against Bikita Minerals, TelOne, Chegutu Pirates, Arenel Movers and GreenFuel, which amounts to US$500 per player. 

Dynamos have nine draws, including stalemates against giants CAPS United and Ngezi Platinum Stars, which adds up to US$550 per player. 

Cumulatively, the players are owed US$1,050. 

“The executive has told us our money has been deposited. 

“However, we have resumed training out of respect and I am sure if all goes well, we will be ready to do duty against Highlanders,” said one player on condition of anonymity, earlier on. 

The stand-off between players and the executive cost Dynamos four days of training ahead of the big game against Bosso at Rufaro on Sunday. 

The impasse had also blighted the build-up to the biggest fixture on the Zimbabwe club football calendar, which is returning to DeMbare’s traditional home — Rufaro — for the first time since November 2019. 

Despite the chaos that has rocked his side, Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe is putting in a brave face ahead of the showdown. 

Mangombe insists his charges are fit to face their traditional rivals, despite missing several days of training. 

As business resumed, Mangombe conducted a fitness test yesterday morning and “discovered that most players were up there.” 

“These are footballers and the life a footballer you need to be training all the time. 

“And you need to stay fit,” said Mangombe. 

“The players have been training throughout, although it has been individual and when you train individually there is no teamwork. 

“But as far as fitness is concerned there are no issues.” 

The youthful gaffer also hailed his players for eventually agreeing to train before their bonuses were deposited. 

“We conducted fitness tests today (yesterday), to see if they are ready to play a blockbuster match and most of them are ready, save for a few. 

“We have lost four days of training so we are going to push tomorrow (today) and Friday as well. 

“Thumbs up to the boys for understanding the situation. They are going to do business come Sunday and we are ready to go,” Mangombe said. 

The coach, however, declined to delve much into the stand-off between the management and the players. 

“I can’t comment on the monetary issues, some of these things I am not obliged to comment on. 

“But what is there is that they have agreed to train because we have a big game ahead.”

DeMbare are currently sixth on the log, with 24 points and 11 behind leaders FC Platinum. 

The Harare giants have been largely inconsistent in the first half of the season which saw them draw nine teams. 

Mangombe’s job has also been on the tenterhooks following Dynamos’ inconsistent run. 

Some players claimed that their poor results were largely due to a lack of motivation. 

But now that they have been paid, it remains to be seen if there will be a shift in gear by the players. 

Mangombe has backed them to succeed and was satisfied with how the return to business had gone. 

“What I liked about the boys is the way they responded to tactical instructions, given it was our first day at training after several days. 

“We are now working mainly on our formation, combinations, and coordination.

“We are also reminding them on what they are supposed to do in different zones,” said Mangombe. 

DeMbare are targeting to add a striker during the mid-season transfer window, which is currently open. 

They were also making frantic efforts to register right back Wilmore Chimbetu, who is expected to play on Sunday. 

“Chimbetu was on our books although he was not registered we are almost done with his paperwork and he could feature on Sunday,” added Mangombe.