DeMbare to unveil new signings

Eddie Chikamhi and Takudzwa Chitsiga
PREMIERSHIP champions Dynamos are set to unveil some of their latest acquisitions today when the side parade their new-look squad, which they claim is now ready to move a gear towards the beginning of their pre-season training.

The Harare giants have concluded deals with players such as Kelvin Bulaji from CAPS United and former Monomotapa and Shabanie Mine right back Godknows Murwira.

Dynamos secretary-general Webster Chikengezha yesterday said they are looking to parade about five new players who have joined them during the off-season break. The new players have been recommended by coach David Mandigora who leads a new technical team that also includes Tonderai Ndiraya and goalkeepers coach Gift Muzadzi.

Biggie Zuze had been expected to join that coaching crew but snubbed DeMbare and opted to stay on at Triangle after reportedly agreeing to a new two-year- deal.

Chikengezha said the whole squad will also be presented at the event and it looks like the Glamour Boys are set to have a different outlook this year amid strong indications that they will be dropping older players after adopting a new policy of investing in youth.

“I am happy to say we will be unveiling our squad and our new players tomorrow. As a club we are pleased with the progress we have made so far but, obviously, there have been a few glitches here and there.

“We hope to have everything in place though by the time the season begins. So far we have about five new players and we still need to make some additions,” said Chikengezha.

DeMbare are hoping to take the first step towards their preparations for the 2015 season following today’s ceremony.

However, the duo of Dominic Chungwa and Obey Mwerahari who had been reported to have joined the Harare giants are not likely to be part of the cast to be unveiled today.

Both players have agreed terms with the Harare giants but it turns out that the transfers have stalled as the players still have running contracts with CAPS United and ZPC Kariba respectively.

Chungwa has a year remaining on his contract with CAPS United but the striker has not made it secret that he wants out and has approached the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe to assist him.

The former Eagles player claims that Makepekepe breached the contract by failing to honour their side of the agreement through withholding part of his sign-on fees and other financial benefits.

The Green Machine however, have refused to issue the clearance and have instead indicated that the door is open for Dynamos to approach them for negotiations for the services of the player. DeMbare are also compelled to negotiate with ZPC Kariba for the release of another ex Eagles player, Mwerahari.

“Unfortunately the two are unlikely to be unveiled. We are still trying to get clearances for them,” said Chikengezha. The members of the technical department are also expected to attend the unveiling ceremony. Head coach Mandigora, who is returning to the hot seat seven years after leading the side to the semi-finals of the Champions League, will spell out his pre-season programme at the event.

Mandigora is aware of the task ahead of him after inheriting a side that had won the last four domestic league championships successively under Callisto Pasuwa.

Chikengezha expressed uncertainty about Zuze’s availability.

“The other assistant coach was also supposed to be there (at the unveiling ceremony) but right now we are not sure about his availability. We are not even sure what is going on with him because we have been hearing stories in the newspapers about him. But we had agreed a three-year deal with him,” said Chikengezha.

The unveiling ceremony will also seal the fate of players whose careers at the Glamour Boys had been shrouded in uncertainty. DeMbare are expected to part ways with a number of senior players in favour of younger ones.

So far, it’s only Ocean Mushure and Stephen Alimenda who have signed new contracts and there is still no clarity on the likes of Murape Murape, Tawanda Muparati, Clive Kawinga, Fabrice Mbimba, Oscar Machapa , Tafadzwa Rusike, Simba Sithole, Devon Chafa, Roderick Mutuma and Patrick Khumbula but negotiations are still taking place for Chafa, Sithole, Rusike, Mutuma and Russel Madamombe.