Hands off Dauda: ZPC

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
ZPC Kariba have sent a warning to Premiership rivals to stop making moves on Soccer Star of the Year Dennis Dauda and the rest of their players behind their back.

The defender is still contracted to the club until December 2016.

Dauda has attracted interest from many quarters following a stellar season to help the Premiership debutants finish second in the marathon.

The lanky defender has reportedly been targeted by league champions Dynamos and Harare City, who have been the busiest on the market during the off-season.

However, Zesa spokesperson Shepherd Mandizvidza yesterday said Dauda remains in their plans and if any team is interested in his services proper channels should be followed.

Mandizvidza said the side is aiming to retain the bulk of the players who were in the 2014 Class.

“The case of reigning Soccer Star Dennis Dauda is unique and straightforward as he is still contracted to ZPC FC until December 2016.

“ZPC Football Club is not run impulsively, but through acceptable tenets of constructive engagement and due diligence with all the parties getting involved, the approach that is being religiously followed by reasonable minds that are presiding over the noble process of finalising contractual matters for the good of the club and the brand of the power utility,” said Mandizvidza.

The Premiership newboys are hoping to make an impression again this year following a fairytale run in their maiden season in the topflight league.

ZPC Kariba were on the threshold of equalling the record of the Black Rhinos Class of 1984 by becoming only the second team in Zimbabwe to win the championship in their debut season, but they lost the plot in their last match and surrendered a two-point advantage to hand the title to Dynamos.

There have been reports that Dauda is being stalked by top clubs, while their coach Saul Chaminuka had been linked with a move to Triangle.

Chaminuka had been tipped to replace Biggie Zuze, who moved to Dynamos, but it turned out that the Castle Lager Premiership Coach of the Year still has another year on his contract with ZPC Kariba.

But team manager Partson Ndabambi might not to be part of the club next season as his contract is not likely to be renewed.

Mandizvidza said they are seeking to retain the bulk of their team in their quest for glory in the 2015 season.

ZPC Kariba have put in place a team to convince players like Soccer Star of the Year Second Runner-up Limited Chikafa and striker Tawanda Nyamandwe to stay following the expiry of their contracts at the end of the year.

The duo has been quoted indicating they are ready to move on with their careers away from Kariba.

Already, they have lost rightback Obey Mwerahari to Dynamos.

“Contract negotiations for ZPC Football Club have not yet been finalised as the Contracts Review Committee is currently working to firm up the agreements of those players and technical members that have expired.

“The committee is working with a deadline of 15 January to finalise all contractual issues of the club and we urge all the concerned parties to be patient as it is only prudent to avoid unnecessary pressure on the good work that is being done to tighten the football circuit of the power utility.

“We are not at liberty to deliberate over specific cases of players and members of the technical team as it would jeopardise the processes that are currently underway.

“Once all the consultative processes are finalised, concerned parties would be advised accordingly on or before mid-January.

“It should also be appreciated that realigning the club during this off-season is a process that is not unique to ZPC, but an exercise that clubs have to undergo in preparation for putting up a good show as the 2015 season bursts into life.

“Any overtures that an approach of retribution in restructuring the club is being applied is out of place and is not in sync with the true and obtaining spirit of pursuing business as a united family of the power utility. All the processes that are being done have noble intentions of once again proving that ZPC FC is no walk-over in the domain of competitive football.

“The ZESA Holdings Group is appreciative of the sterling performance that the ZPC players, management and technical team did throughout the 2014 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season and will continue to rally behind their troupes as they continue to uplift the good brand of ZPC with aplomb.

“After finishing second last season, we aspire to even do better as we believe we have the pedigree,” said Mandizvidza.