Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE boardroom squabbling over a corporate partnership deal with AfricaBet, which led to the resignations of two members of the executive committee yesterday, is only a tip of the iceberg to the deep-seated leadership challenges that had beset Harare giants Dynamos in the last few years.
The sudden departures of club treasurer Justice Mubayi and committee member David Chikomo highlighted serious internal struggles in decision-making, the persistent back-biting and skulduggery.
Given the toxicity that had engulfed the boardroom, the camel’s back was going to break at some point.
And it emerged that matters then came to a head after a plot to oust chairman Vincent Chawonza by four members of the executive spectacularly backfired after failing to get the crucial nod of the club’s appointing authority — board chairman Bernard Marriot Lusengo.
Mubayi and Chikomo tendered their resignations yesterday morning while vice-chairman Spencer Chihota and committee member Batson Nkhoma, who were also fingered in the disturbance were reportedly on the firing line, despite electing to stay on.
However, there were efforts to mend bridges late on, including voiding the resignation letters, but it was highly unlikely the committee members will be reincorporated.
Ironically Mubayi and Chikomo had been retained at the start of the year when Dynamos wielded the axe on the Moses Maunganidze executive committee.
A source close to the goings-on at Dynamos, told Zimpapers Sports Hub that there were many underlying issues that needed to be addressed.
For an executive committee that had only been three months in office, the developments at Dynamos came too soon and could threaten the stability the club has been enjoying in the new season.
In a rare bright start to season, Dynamos are unbeaten in their opening four games and will be looking to extend it to five when they host last year’s runners-up MWOS at Rufaro tomorrow.
“The AfricaBet deal is not the issue,” sources said.
“It’s about power contestations and there are many other governance challenges that birthed this chaos. For example, people were asked by the chairman (Vincent Chawonza) to account for the statutory deductions on the players’ salaries as well as the proceeds from the sale of the Looks kit deal’s replicas because the partner wants their share of the proceeds.
“These could not be explained. So, the real issue isn’t about the AfricaBet deal but about accountability.”
Apart from that, Dynamos were faced with options, with three prospective partners to consider but the persistent squabbling on how to move forward triggered the fallout at the weekend. The Glamour Boys recently signed a four-year sponsorship deal with AfricaBet and ContiPay said to worth over US$1 million.
DeMbare, looking to match the financial stability of some of their Premiership rivals are understood to be also courting a local bank believed to be First Capital for a partnership reportedly worth US$500 000 per season for the next two years.
The deals are aimed at augmenting the agreement between Dynamos and their principal sponsors Sakunda Holdings.
Under normal circumstances, when resources abound, stability should follow but that has not been the case at Dynamos.
The AfricaBet deal has since been concluded and was given thumbs up by Marriot.
While negotiations with First Capital are still on the table, there are some reports of some sticking points based on some technicalities iincdjuing retaining Sakunda on the front part of the club kits .
AfricaBet agreed that they will not occupy the front space on the shirt and will have their logo inscribed just below the jersey number.
“That is why they are trashing the AfricaBet deal so that it does not succeed. But the Board chairman has since approved, whilst waiting for the Sakunda talks to conclude. He said it’s better the team has something to sustain itself during this time,” the source said.
Efforts to contact Marriot were unsuccessful with the DeMbare supremo believed to be under the weather.
Chawonza acknowledged the shake-up in the executive occasioned by the resignations.
“Yes, there have been resignations but I cannot speak on those issues at the moment. I can only comment on what I would want to see happening at Dynamos, as the club’s executive chairman.
“Of course, the primary thing that we would want is to have our team extending the unbeaten run. Our team has made a stable start to the season and this should be pleasing to all well-meaning Dynamos peo-ple,” said Chawonza.
Chawonza said he was focused on maintaining the team’s stability after their unbeaten run.
“Considering that we started our pre-season late, no one suspected we could be enjoying this streak.
“We managed to secure players that are hungry for success and also experienced guys who were available on the market. That is why we have a competitive squad and we wouldn’t want that good start to be disturbed.
“That’s my main worry at the moment. We want to see this team growing from strength to strength on and off the pitch through meaningful partnerships.
“In the modern day, the sponsor also explores ways that benefit the decision to partner with a club.
