Sundaymail Editor
A LOT happened at Dynamos last week.
Star midfielder Denver Mukamba put his signature on a two-year contract and got a Toyota Altezza and a residential stand as part of the package.
The players staged a sit-in on Wednesday, demanding outstanding winning bonuses, and only resumed training after an address by the club’s executive.
Man-of-the-moment Christian Epoupa Joel, or simply Ntouba, wanted to skip last Friday’s training session to protest an outstanding installment of his signing-on fee, but later put on his boots after some reassurances.
The Cameroonian striker received his bit late Friday, Mukamba is driving again and DeMbare players are back in the trenches with a potential banana skin Castle Lager Premier Soccer league encounter against Chicken Inn at Barbourfields this afternoon.
Dynamos lost back-to-back matches against Chicken Inn last season and have one league win over the Gamecocks in Bulawayo since 2011.
Although DeMbare are on a roll, having won six matches on the trot, assistant coach Biggie Zuze knows the hosts can spoil their party.
“We are playing one of the most organised teams so we have to be at our best,” said Zuze, who has presided over DeMbare’s last two wins in the absence of head coach Lloyd Mutasa.
Mutasa is assisting Sunday Chidzambwa at the Cosafa Cup in South Africa.
“It’s going to be tough but we expect it to be an exciting game. The winning streak has motivated the players. It’s also good for the club that we managed to retain the services of Denver. Losing such a player especially at a time he is reaching his peak was not going to be good for the club.
“Mukamba is beginning to realise his responsibilities, he is beginning to show maturity now and he is playing more for his teammates than to the gallery,” Zuze said.
While results on the board paint a picture of a Dynamos ship that is sailing smoothly, some players who spoke to this publication revealed that the issue of outstanding bonuses was reaching boiling point.
For their six consecutive wins, Dynamos players have been paid one winning bonus and last week they staged a sit-in at Motor Action Sports Club.
“We have to soldier on because we want to make our fans happy but we are still owed a lot by the club. We have been winning but we are not getting our bonuses,” said one player.
Second-placed DeMbare are on 29 points, two behind log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars and one point above Chicken Inn, who are winless in their last two outings.
The Gamecocks’ unbeaten run, which had stretched over six games, came to a halt last weekend when they fell 0-2 to Chapungu.
Chicken Inn are playing an attractive brand of football under former Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo and lie fourth on the log standings.
The Bulawayo side signed national team trialist Collins Dhuwa from Shabanie Mine last week and will also bank on the experience of seasoned midfielder Clement Matawu and gritty defensive linkman Thabani Goredema.
Fixtures
Triangle v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Gibbo), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields), Hwange v ZPC Kariba (Colliery), Black Rhinos v Tsholotsho FC (Morris Depot), Caps United v Highlanders (postponed)
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