adminTHIS is the time of the year every club is putting together their fantasy teams that they think will carry them to their league championship or relegation survival. Even football fans will be busy talking about what they believe would turn around the fortunes of their clubs.
There is something that is really striking this time around in the transfer market. While the moneybags like FC Platinum have also been busy on the market, contrary to their claims at the end of the last season that they will turn to younger players from their development side, the big boys, who ordinarily would not dominate the transfer market, have been busy this time around.
Reigning champions Dynamos would get a few players come new year, but they would not go for star players as it would be, but this season, they went into the market and shook their major rivals Highlanders when they snapped attacking midfielder Masimba Mambare, who was to find the back of the net on his debut in the Champions league game against Botswana side Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
They also made a number of big name signings, the likes of Tafadzwa Rusike who was based in South Africa in recent years and Ronald Chitiyo from Monomotapa, among others. On paper, the Glamour Boys have more firepower than last season and you cannot blame their fans for declaring that they would retain the title and make it four times in a row.
On the other hand, Dynamos’ biggest rivals Highlanders have turned out to be the busiest on the transfer market, for some reason attracting some of the best talents in the local league and that has breathed some fresh air into the Highlanders family. Above all, it has been a show of vote of confidence on the part of the players to the executive led by Peter Dube.
It has also been a show of confidence on Dube’s leadership by the club’s major sponsors, BancABC, who availed funds for the signing of players, leading to a number of Bulawayo boys retracing their steps back to Emagumeni.
Some of the new arrivals had actually left the club for greener pastures, and now they are back home and they believe its time they pay back the club for giving them the platform to launch their careers.
Highlanders have dominated the transfer market, luring some of the finest talent in the mould of Joel Ngodzo who spent the last three years warming the bench at FC Platinum, and one wonders where he would be today if he was given game time and room to develop and showcase the talent that made the platinum miners break the bank to sign him as a young boy from Bosso. After playing for the likes of Hwange, winning the title with Motor Action and going via Zvishavane at FC Platinum, Charles Sibanda also settled for Highlanders this time around, announcing another big arrival, which was to be followed by another club retainee Rahman Kutsanzira who ditched Caps United after playing for them for two seasons. It was a pity that Kutsanzira, on his first home training, dislocated his elbow and will be out for about one week, but otherwise on paper, he completes what is arguably one of the strongest sides in the league.
The arrival of Kudakwashe Mahachi, who was signed by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and then loaned to the club until June, also brought some breath of fresh air to the club. At least those who passed through the club now want to help the club one way or the other. I say so because media reports suggested Peter Ndlovu, a club legend and now team manager at Sundowns, was instrumental in getting Mahachi to Highlanders, with initial reports suggesting the star midfielder would briefly join Dynamos and assist them in their Champions league quest.
Also joining the club is midfielder Welcome Ndiweni, who had also ditched the club a few years back, including left back Khumbulani Banda, who is regarded as one of the best left footers in the country. The list does not stop there, there is also central defender Felix Chindungwe, who ditched Chicken Inn for Bosso and goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni. Tough defender Zephania Ngodzo is also training at the club and could be signed again, in what would give a new-look Bosso team this season. At the end of the day, the departure of striker Njabulo Ncube for FC Platinum and Mambare counts to nothing if you consider the new arrivals, that also have Valentine Ndaba who was with Shabanie last season.
Bosso fans have been busy on social networks, and from the bottom of their hearts, they praise their sponsors for the support. Abel Moyo wrote: “ I salute and say thank you very much to BancABC for showing good gesture and availing funds to the team of the nation to sign players, not only players but quality, indeed you have done us more than proud, siyabonga, tatenda, thank you. It leaves me to sing “inkonkoni yajama haayeeleelee inkonkoni yajama, ngkhona sizake sbone.”
Agrippa Nyoni added: “Let’s salute BancABC for the support that they have given to our team and credit should go to those who have been negotiating with those players. As supporters we now have an obligation to go and fill up the stadium.” From the posts, it is clear Bosso fans are grateful and they look forward to a season of plenty and some advised the club to adopt the Fifa licensing system that will give them a hold over junior players.
However, in the midst of the cheers and high expectations, there are some who will still pose hard questions that will certainly need attention from Dube’s executive and coaches. One such person is Leslie Phiri who wrote: “While everyone seems excited about all our new signings and exclaiming how strong this year’s squad is, I feel we still lack where we were weak last season.
1. Our weakest flank was our right flank which was being operated by Bruce Tshuma, Lawson Nkomo, Eric Mudzingwa, at times Simon Munawa. We have not done anything to bring a good right back with reports that Zephania Ngodzo has been shut out.
2. Our centre backs were not that composed, Innocent Mapuranga and Fazo (Dumisani Ndlovu) at times Eric, what do we do? We buy Chindungwe, is he the long term answer? No! as good as he is Felix is not reliable and age is not on his side.
3. The problematic anchorman’s position saw Munawa, Hillary Madzivanyika and Mthulisi Maphosa rotating, proving they are all not comfortable save for Munawa. What have we done? Absolutely nothing.
4. We lose Njabulo, our top goal scorer and we are left exposed, we don’t have a seasoned goal getter. What do we do? We buy Charles. Is he a striker? No. He is more effective playing in Mambare’s position.
5. So this is what we did: We bought Valentine, Khumbulani, Rahman all left footed players who are effective from the left, a channel I feel was our strength last season with Bruce Kangwa, Bhekimpilo Ncube and Milton Ncube doing well. We have also bought Njabulo Nyoni? For what when you already have Ariel Sibanda, Munyaradzi Diya and a junior Archieford Katsande.
6. We have literally neglected our weak points. We still need a natural right back, an anchorman, a sharp goal getter.
7. Can this team beat our bogey sides How Mine, Chicken Inn and Dynamos and clinch the league championship? Let’s see the first 11 on Sunday against Harare City.” These are seven hard points that cannot be answered at first glance. Over to your Mr Chairman.
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Online Reporter