Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
AILING giants Dynamos troubles appear far from over.
After narrowly surviving relegation from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League last year, Dynamos look set to start the season in the same way they began 2025.
DeMbare have been conspicuous by their silence while the majority of their Premiership rivals have got off the mark, sealing deals to sign players and also getting down to structured pre-season preparations.
Clubs are making statements of intent during the January player transfer window.
Despite huge promises by the club’s management which had sparked anxiety among the multitude of their fans, another week has passed by and the Glamour Boys supporters have been forced to wait for the unveiling of new players.
For the past few years DeMbare, along with fellow traditional giants Highlanders and CAPS United, have been bullied on the transfer market by a new crop of well-heeled opponents.
Despite their lack of signings, Dynamos are still touted to assemble a strong side, amid talk about the possible return of sponsorship from Sakunda Holdings. But for now it has all been about speculation in terms of players said to be on the radar of the Dynamos management.
Those players being linked with the Chibuku Super Cup holders include Michael Tapera, Collin Mujuru, Perfect Chikwende, Khama Billiat, Walter Musona, Tino Muringai, Moses Demera, Emmanuel Mandiranga, Malawian Stanley Billiat and Witness Shave.
“Look there is a new executive, which was appointed on December 28 when other clubs had already started planning,” said a member of the Dynamos leadership.
“It was a bit late, but we have managed to secure a coach to replace Kelvin Kaindu who recently left to a new club. So, we continue working behind the scenes to make sure that we have a strong team. There has been progress. A number of players have been engaged and the squad will be officially unveiled once we have all the players we want.”
But this has not stopped the other clubs from bolstering their teams.
Newboys Hardrock have been the most active club on the transfer market after unveiling more players at the weekend who include the quartet of Donald Mudadi, Junior Makunike, Boyd Mutukure and goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga, prized away from Simba Bhora.
Hardrock also raided ZPC Kariba for the services of Samuel Makawa and Marshall Gavaza.
They swooped MWOS’ exciting midfielder Nigel Matinha and goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, bought left back Misheck Ngwenya from FC Platinum and ex-Chicken Inn players Xolani Ndlovu, Edward Musena and Tinashe Mashaireni.
Hardrock also roped in exciting talents from the lower divisions who include midfielder Wilfred Madzungu who was the Golden Boot winner in the Central Region Soccer League last season.
Madzungu’s Sheasham teammate, goalkeeper Shelton Sibanda has also crossed the floor to join Hardrock.
The other signings include Oncemore Uriri from Grain Tigers, Ex-Gwanda Pirates midfielder Prince Gwetu and Zambian striker Andrew Phiri.
The Kwekwe outfit also pulled a coup with the signing of highly rated midfielder Munashe Bamara, who was also on the radar of Dynamos.
Manica Diamonds, who narrowly survived relegation last season, also unveiled their new signings who include former SuperSport United striker Nokutenda Mangezi, Russel Kahiki , Biggie Temera, Pascal Shumbaimwe, Gerald Sibanda, Arthur Ndlovu, Kelvin Bingala, Marlon Maziriri and Darrly Zulu.
MWOS, who lost key players like, Abubakar Moffat, Matinha and Mapisa, have also begun an earnest rebuild.
Although it will be difficult to fill the gaps, they have announced the arrival of Tadiwanashe Murasiranwa, Reginald Chinemo, Marceline Mlilo, and goalkeeper Tedious Baye.
Former champions FC Platinum have roped in over 11 players, including four expatriates led by Mbakondja Tjahikika, who was Namibia’s top scorer last season and a double winner of league and cup honours.
They have also roped in Cameroonian goalkeeper Ekoi, who boasts an Under-17 AFCON title and youth World Cup experience, Malawian team defender Maxwell Paipi and Ghanaian striker Emmanuel Dogbey.
On the local front, they have managed to secure midfielder Garikai Dematsika from relegated GreenFuel, former Yadah defender Takunda Vareta, ex-Sheasham midfielder David Mangezi, Trevor Bhunu from Golden Eagles and former FC Platinum Under-19 stars Tadiwa Muchenje and Takunda Manyuchi.
CAPS United brought in 12 new signings after convincing Obriel Chirinda, Kudzai Chigwida, Nyasha Gurende, Delic Murimba, McDonald Makuwe, Richard Hachiro and Talent Chamboko, who joined their coach Takesure Chiragwi and team manager Tinashe Nengomasha from Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Also joining Makepekepe is goalkeeper Wallace Magalane, midfielder Bret Amidu, slippery winger Davison Marowa, Darlington Marowa from Golden Eagles and Malawian international, Chawanangwa Kaonga and Lloyd Njaliwa.
Highlanders have signed 24-year-olds Mongameli Tshuma and Tawanda Shenje from Hwange, goalkeeper Pride Zendera from Chicken Inn, teenage midfielder Royn Nyamono from Bikita Minerals and central defender Rayton Chuma who was previously with NUST.
Bosso lost players such as Melikhaya Ncube, Mckinnon Mushore, Mthabisi Ncube, Honest Mhlanga, Nqobile Ndlovu, Martin Nhubu, Atusaye Nyondo and Learnmore Muyambo
Champions Scottland are yet to unveil their new signings although they are understood to have lured a number of players that include Soccer Star of the year finalists Emmanuel Ziocha and Moffat.
They have also reached out to Ghanaian defender Issaka Mahommad, goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa and midfielder Vusa Ngwenya, all formerly at Dynamos.
TelOne, who lost Soccer Star Washington Navaya to Hardrock, have responded by signing former American Major League Soccer star Farai Mutatu, Jerry Chipangura, veteran midfielder Innocent Mucheneka, Chelsea Nyakope, Admore Mawere and goalkeeper Takudzwa Chikosi, also a target for Dynamos.
Premiership returnees Bulawayo Chiefs have so far roped in former Chicken Inn striker Brian Muza, left back Elvis Moyo, Kelly Shiyandindi, ex-Highlanders midfielder Melikhaya Ncube, Blessing Kagudu, Clive Rupiya, Denzel Mapuwa, Busi Mathe and Maxwell Murimi from Deportivo La Murambinda.
