malvernmugadzikwa
Langton Nyakwenda
BUOYED by their trophy-drought-ending success in this year’s Chibuku Super Cup, Dynamos now believe they are well poised to reclaim their place at the top table of the Castle Premier Soccer League.
DeMbare beat Ngezi Platinum Stars 2-0 at Baobab in last weekend’s final to clinch their first silverware in nine years.
They had endured nearly a decade of frustration that was in sharp contrast to the joy and fun of a four-year trailblazing spell between 2011 and 2014, under Kalisto Pasuwa, when they swept everything that was on offer.
After finishing third for the second time in a row, the Harare giants are now targeting to dominate the 2024 season and they are confident they will retain all their key players.
Dynamos vice chairman Vincent Chawonza revealed yesterday that most players whose contracts are expiring at the end of the month have committed their future to the club. Chawonza, who also heads the club’s human resources sub-committee, clarified the status of Castle Soccer Star of the Year runner-up Donald Mudadi, who has become one of the most sought-after players on the domestic scene.
“Mudadi signed a two-year contract with Dynamos at the beginning of the year, so he still has one more year with us,’’ said Chawonza.
“We have also started negotiating with all the players whose contracts are expiring at the end of the year.
“They are all indicating that they will stay and we are confident we will have all our star players next season.’’
Some of the key players whose contracts are expiring are crowd favourite Tanaka Shandirwa and his midfield partner and rising star Junior Makunike.
Makunike has been linked with a move to ambitious Simba Bhora.
“Dynamos are back where they belong and we believe, apart from being the most successful team in the country, we are also now the most attractive team to play for.
“The way we finished the season is the way we are going to start the next.
“The way we played last season shows you that the glamour is back at DeMbare.
“Dynamos have awoken from their slumber,’’ added Chawonza.
It has also emerged that Dynamos are now preparing a fresh contract for coach Genesis Mangombe, who was in charge on an interim basis since taking over from the sacked Herbert Maruwa in August.
Mangombe is set to sign a three-year deal in which he will also be given the liberty to choose his own technical team.
He was working with veteran Lloyd Chigowe and goalkeeper’s trainer Brito Gwere since Maruwa’s departure.
Mangombe has reportedly already presented his wish list of players he is targeting for Dynamos next season.
He wants to rope in two strikers, as many midfielders and another goalkeeper.
“Dynamos are on a paradigm shift. Gone are the days when the club believed only the club’s sons were capable of coaching the team.
“Mangombe never played for Dynamos but look what he has done in a short space of time.
“Pep Guardiola never played for Manchester City but he has won a lot of trophies with the club,’’ Chawonza said.
The Dynamos management also believe Mangombe can dethrone the platinum teams — Ngezi and FC Platinum — if he is given time.
Since their last league triumph in 2014, Dynamos have seen the trophy change hands among their rivals.
In 2015, Chicken Inn took the honours, with CAPS United being crowned champions the following year.
The next four titles between 2017 and 2022 went FC Platinum’s way until Ngezi ended their own seven-year wait for the ultimate prize in domestic football.
“Mangombe will be given time. Why should we not give him time now when he has won us the Chibuku Super Cup?
“Our supporters are happy with the progress made by the team and want us to retain the players and the technical team,’’ said Chawonza.
Dynamos, who are engaged in negotiations for sponsorship extension with energy giants Sakunda Holdings, will play in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Their last dance with the continental inter-club competitions was in the Champions League in 2014.
The initial deal with principal sponsors Sakunda expires in a few weeks.
“Dynamos will definitely participate in Africa.
“Financial issues are now a thing of the past,’’ Chawonza said.
Online Reporter