Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
OLD foes Dynamos and Highlanders will square off in a Jairos Jiri Charity Cup clash match at Barbourfields on February 15, with all proceeds going to support the less privileged at the institution.
The match is part of DeMbare’s pre-season preparations, led by returning coach Genesis Mangombe.
Dynamos will conduct part of their pre-season camp in Hwange and then proceed to Bulawayo for the showdown with Bosso.
The fund-raising match, is one of the several preparatory games lined up by the Glamour Boys ahead of the 2026 season.
Club chairman Vincent Chawonza told the Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday that the high-profile friendly game will give Mangombe and his charges an opportunity to gauge the progress they have made so far.
“We are looking forward to the charity match because morally we feel it is right to be good citizens by participating in fund-raising initiatives meant to help the less privileged of the society.
“We also applaud our colleagues at Highlanders for agreeing to participate in this noble cause. As you might have heard all the proceeds from this match will go to charity.
“This game will also provide a platform for the technical team to assess and gauge where we are as a team in terms of preparing for the new season,” said Chawonza.
The match is the brainchild of the Jairos Jiri Association. The organisers will cover appearance fees of players, accommodation and transport costs.
The week before the match, DeMbare are set to embark on a training camp in Hwange where they hope to conduct a team building exercise.
“We have a new coach coming in and new players joining us as well. So, they need the time away from the familiar environment for bonding and getting to build deeper relationships as one family.
“While in Hwange, they will also get to play three of four friendly matches against local sides. This will build up to the Jairos Jiri charity match because from there we will drive straight to Bulawayo to play Highlanders.
“Hopefully, by the time the season begins. The coaches would have had enough time to work on the foundation of their team,” Chawonza said.
As the Chibuku Super Cup holders, Dynamos are set to kick-start the season with a Castle Challenge Cup clash against 2025 Premiership champions Scottland on February 28.
Their full season programme will then get underway the following week, with games against TelOne, Highlanders, Bulawayo Chiefs, Agama, MWOS and Simba Bhora in that order.
However, DeMbare have largely been conspicuous by their silence during the pre-season period as most of their peers have been involved in the transfer business rush.
But Chawonzwa assured the club’s supporters that extensive work was happening behind the scenes to make the Glamour Boys competitive again.
Dynamos have not won the league title since Kalisto Pasuwa led them to the last of his four consecutive championships in 2014.
They survived relegation on the last day last season, leading to the sacking of the executive committee led by Moses Maunganidze.
“We came in the office recently and we managed to appoint a coach just a few days after we started our tenure. So, we are doubling our efforts to get to the level that we want.
“I can tell you we have given some contracts to some players and we are still working on the others. Once everything is done, there is going to be an official unveiling,” said Chawonza.
Dynamos have been linked with several players that include Michael Tapera, Trevor Mavhunga, Barnabas Mtuche, Khama Billiat, Blessed Ndereki, Kelvin Shangiwa, Witness Shave, Ronald Chitiyo and Malawian midfielder, Stanley Billiat.
