Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR years, Premier Soccer League giants Dynamos have visibly “struggled” to get a proper poster-boy.
The last two were Bill Antonio and Denver Mukamba.
Antonio left in September 2022 for Belgian top-flight club KV Mechelen while Mukamba had a stint in South Africa, came back home and had other stints with DeMbare, among other local clubs.
His last romance with blue and white was last season before he left for Hunters.
But the real Denver had long gone.
Since then, no one has stepped up to fill those boots and the club has also not attempted to create one.
But DeMbare cannot do without a poster boy.
Precisely, for Dynamos, the poster-boy does not need to carry the club alone.
He just needs to master the art of exciting the Vietnam stand at Rufaro like how the mere mention of Mukamba’s name still does.
Mukamba was the reason fans bought replica shirts in 2023 while upon his return in 2025, he was the reason fans rushed to the stadium although results were poor as the Harare giants fought relegation.
In that season, midfielder Vusa Ngwenya and goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa also won the fans hearts and had it not been for Scottland raiding the Blue Army, one of the two would have undoubtedly been the current lure factor.
But that magnetic pull has been missing, although earlier in the year defender Colin Mujuru almost became one.
Fans loved him for his performances, nicknamed him “Mbeumo” and spoiled him with “Sunday offerings” after games.
For a moment Rufaro’s Vietnam stand had found their new darling.
But it did not last.
Mujuru fell out of favour, leaving the club once again with a void where their heartbeat should have been.
Now enter Callum English Brown!
The midfielder finally made his highly anticipated debut in the Highlanders’ 100 years celebrations cup match at Barbourfields last weekend and instantly charmed the fans after almost a year of waiting to watch him play.
Brown, who had been stalled by international clearance and fitness delays following his return from the United Kingdom, was just neat on the ball and confident enough to offer something fresh for the blue army.
After the final whistle fans circled him for selfies, something that had not happened at DeMbare for some time.
“The atmosphere was amazing and I am still grateful to the fans for showing me so much love…it sort of washes away the frustrations of waiting for such a long time,” he said.
“I had not been active for months prior to signing with Dynamos and having to wait longer would present an emotional toll and uncertainties but I had to be proactive, and get some match fitness.
“I went on to play a few games with the team’s Division 2 side, it was obviously difficult so it became a matter of building up the match fitness first and now the sharpness.”
Brown admits that during the waiting period, he lost confidence while self-doubt crept in.
“I some moments I doubted myself wondering if I was doing something wrong, but still I had to be patient and I am grateful that eventually I got the break I yearned for.”
In Brown, Dynamos might have a fans’ pull factor and restore that emotional connection between terraces and the turf. With the White Lion, as he is affectionately known, talent and love are there and this could be the perfect moment for DeMbare to “cash” in on him.
The former Whawha forward understands the weight that comes with being the “face” of DeMbare.
“It is a huge role, but one which pushes you to work extra hard when you’re on the pitch but looking at it, it’s good for the fans also. Dynamos is a big brand, everywhere we go is a home game basically because we always have more fans than the other team so we need to thrive and capitalize on that.”
For a Dynamos targeting a top four league finish, Brown, who is expected to feature against Hardrock at Rufaro today, could spark a strong final lap to their marathon.
They will be without the injured Ramela Harerimana, and Godknows Dzakpasu, who is serving a suspension due to a red card.
Brown’s creativity could come in handy, as Dynamos who will also be looking up to Frank Agyemang and Leroy Mavunga for goals while Tatenda Makoni is back in fray.
Hardrock will miss Neliswa Dhlamini, the star who provided three assists for Washington Navaya (against Highlanders) and Sambulo Simelani’s brace against TelOne last month.
