DeMbare bank on rare continuity

Langton Nyakwenda

OF the 11 players who started for Dynamos in their historic Chibuku Super Cup final victory over Ngezi Platinum Stars last year, only midfielder Junior Makunike has left the club.

Prince Tafiremutsa, Emmanuel Jalai, Kelvin Moyo, Donald Dzvinyai, Frank Makarati, Donald Mudadi, Tanaka Shandirwa, Keith Madera, Issa Sadiki, Elton Chikona and Makunike started for DeMbare, who beat the league champions 2-0 on December 3.

Makunike, who formed a formidable midfield trio with Mudadi and Shandirwa, has been recruited by ambitious Simba Bhora.

Shadreck Nyahwa, Emmanuel Ziocha, Arthur Musiiwa, Eli Ilunga and Emmanuel Paga, who all came on as second-half substitutes in the final, are also still in DeMbare’s books.

For the Dynamos faithful, it is a refreshing development.

In recent years, the Glamour Boys have been notorious for changing squads at the beginning of every season.

They are now banking on this rare continuity ahead of the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

Genesis “Kaka” Mangombe, who was in charge of DeMbare on an interim basis after succeeding Herbert Maruwa in August, has also been appointed on a full-time basis.

Mangombe signed a two-year contract last week and will retain his backroom staff, which includes assistant coach Lloyd “MaBlanyo” Chigowe, goalkeepers’ coach Brito Gwere and team manager-cum-analyst Desmond Mhene.

The youthful gaffer has added a number of experienced players to the squad, including former Hearts of Oak and Adama City midfielder Frederick Ansah Botchway (27) and ex-Namibia national team striker Sydney Urikhob, who is 32.

Given the way they finished the 2023 season, all eyes will definitely be on the former champions, who will also be returning to continental club competitions for the first time in a decade.

Dynamos last featured in a Confederation of African Football tournament in 2014 when they played in the Champions League.

Their success in the Chibuku Super Cup earned them a ticket into the Confederation Cup.

“We want to continue from where we left off last season and that’s why we have made sure there is continuity,” Dynamos vice chairperson Vincent Chawonza told The Sunday Mail Sport last week.

Dynamos’ principal sponsors, Sakunda Holdings, are also expected to renew their deal, amid reports that the energy giants have already committed to some of the club’s financial obligations this year.

“Most of our players were handed three-year contracts and we have also made sure that the issue of signing-on fees is dealt with expeditiously to avoid problems,” added Chawonza.

Dynamos were recently in Kariba for a pre-season camp.

“The fact that we went and camped in Kariba shows you how serious we are as an institution,” he said.

“The Kariba camp also afforded our new players a conducive environment to blend in.”

The new faces at Dynamos include left-back Nomore Chinyerere, who joined from FC Platinum; former JDR Stars defensive midfielder Temptation Chiwunga; and the unheralded Tinotenda Makwinja, who arrived from Division Two side Mabvuku United.

“We are satisfied with our business on the transfer market and the coach is happy. He is the one who chooses the players and as the executive, our duty is to facilitate the movements,” added Chawonza.

“As you are aware, Dynamos will also play in the CAF Confederation Cup, which will spill into next year, so there was no reason for us to give the coach a shorter contract.

“In fact, we wanted to give Mangombe three years but there were some glitches, but his contract can be renewed after every two years.”

At some point last year, Dynamos were strong contenders for the league title before fizzling out in the dying stages of the season.

They ended up finishing third, behind winners Ngezi Platinum Stars and Manica Diamonds.

They, however, atoned for that disappointment with the Chibuku Super Cup title.

Mangombe did not want to give away much when The Sunday Mail Sport interviewed him last week.

“Yes, we have some exciting players whom we have brought in. I am impressed with the central midfielder from Ghana; that one is a top player.

“Chiwunga comes in with the experience, having also played in the South African league.

“The executive has been very supportive and we have been working hard at the training ground to ensure that the boys are ready when the league kicks off,” said Mangombe.

Dynamos will play Ngezi Platinum Stars in the Castle Challenge Cup at Baobab Stadium on February 17, a week before the 2024 season kicks off.

There are also indications that DeMbare might clash with traditional rivals CAPS United in the Mayor’s Cheer Fund Cup at Rufaro next weekend.

It would be a match that will be used to commemorate the reopening of the once-dormant stadium after being refurbished.

* X: @LangtonGuraz