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Eddie Chikamhi and Curtworth Masango
SEVERELY depleted giants Dynamos’ coach Lloyd Chigowe is wary of the challenges ahead of his team with the emergence of more competition from resource-gifted clubs such as Simba Bhora and newly-promoted Scottland, who have been ruthlessly bullying the off-season player market.
DeMbare this week found themselves with their backs against the walls after losing about a dozen players in a player exodus that also claimed captain Frank Makarati.
In contrast, Simba Bhora and Scottland have unveiled close to 40 players — some of them from Dynamos and the other big clubs such as CAPS United, Highlanders, and FC Platinum — as they prepare for the 2025 season.
Chances for the Big Three winning the title this year have severely diminished if the pre-season indications are anything to go by. DeMbare have not won the title since 2014.
In an interview with ZTN Prime, Chigowe believes they will survive the current pressure.
“Of course there are people who have got the capital to splash around and have signed probably more than they require,” he said.
“We work with what is available. Dynamos has always survived against these new up-and-coming moneybags from time immemorial. You remember the Rhinos era? You remember the Shooting Stars experiment? You remember Amazulu?
“I can go on and on. It’s the football ecosystem. It’s also healthy. Our boys make money, you see. They make a living. It’s lucrative.
“Zimbabwean football alternatively becomes lucrative because of the emergence of those new boys. But we are the yardstick of Zimbabwean football. We look forward to the challenge.
“Like I said, it’s never going to be easy playing against star-studded sides. But let’s be pragmatic. It will be 11 versus 11 when the season starts.”
DeMbare were left weakened after losing defenders Elvis and Kelvin Moyo, Shadreck Nyahwa, Tanaka Shandirwa, Emmanuel Ziocha, Donald Mudadi, Emmanuel Paga, Issa Sadiki, Sadney Urikhob and skipper Makarati.
More players could also be leaving in the coming days, with vice-captain Emmanuel Jalai believed to be on trials in China.
Dynamos have been struggling to fill in the gaps. The Glamour Boys do not have the financial muscle to match either Simba Bhora or Scottland, and local players now find the 21-time Zimbabwean champions an unattractive brand.
DeMbare have been losing players en masse almost every season for the past few years. They were set in panic mode following the latest exodus and have been running around to assemble a team that will be able to compete in the upcoming 2025 season. Chigowe has been busy the last 10 days, assessing over 100 players and eventually settling on a few that include former CAPS United and Yadah forward Leeroy Mavhunga and Farai Mutatu, who is tipped to return home after a stint in the United States. Although acknowledging the challenges, Chigowe has remained defiant that he would assemble a competitive squad.
“For the record, we have signed some Premier League players. It’s not like we are signing only Division One players and novices. No, no, no. At the moment we will not disclose.
“We also have some foreigners who are amongst us here. We have a striker who arrived today from Ghana. He looks promising.
“We will work a little bit with him. But of course it will be good for us to introduce new talent, new gems.
“We cannot be masters of recycling. It’s not an easy road to build a new team. But you also have to be realistic and accept that these players probably need a change in their lives. There are others who will take the opportunity to fill their position,” said Chigowe.
The year began on a sombre note for Dynamos with the passing of long-serving team manager Richard “Nyoka” Chihoro, who has been a central figure in the club.
Chihoro’s demise not only marked the end of an era but also symbolised the continued decline of a giant of Zimbabwean football. Dynamos, once the pride of Zimbabwean football, has been struggling to regain its former glory. The club has been plagued by a series of industrial actions from players, executive squabbles, and low turnout from fans. The brand, once synonymous with excellence, has suffered significantly.
The consequences of the club’s struggles are evident in the mass exodus of players.
The technical team has also been affected, with reports of changes imminent. The club lost assistant coach Joel Luphaphla to champions Simba Bhora, leaving Chigowe a lone ranger and without a running contract.
A source close to the club have revealed that the exodus could have been sparked by the breakdown in relations between the club management and the players during the camping in Botswana ahead of the second league against Orapa United.
A 3-1 loss on the penalty shoot-out saw Dynamos bow out of the 2024 CAF Confederation Cup.
“The exodus at the club recently was mainly spiked by the frustration of players with their leadership,” said a source.
“The players were discouraged and frustrated ahead of the match, and they were psychologically drained ahead of the match. “So, the upset came after some players later found out that some club officials were involved in betting syndicates and used all they have to frustrate the players, then piled the blame and allegations back on the players.
“There was an exchange of words, and the working environment was not viable.”
Online Reporter