Maringwa to play on

this season’s Champions League as his major reason.
Maringwa revealed that he was hurt by their disastrous campaign, which saw them crash out at the preliminary stage of the premier continental club tournament.
With long-serving teammate Murape Murape retiring from the club, there was speculation on Maringwa’s future.
“I’m not going anywhere. I believe I still have a lot to give in terms of experience, especially in the Champions League and I was hurt by our performance this season.
“I know we compensated for that by winning the league title but I still believe we can win the Champions League,” he said.
Maringwa said that his teammate Murape could change his heart and was adamant that he will carry on as well.
“He was at my house last week and I think when he said that he had retired, it was just an emotional decision . . . I’m sure he will be with us. He is an important player and I told him that.”
Maringwa also showered special praise on his teammates who rose from the dead to claim a memorable league and cup double in a difficult season that looked like they would end empty-handed.
Dynamos had struggled for results as they crumbled under the weight of expectation, what with cash-rich rivals FC Platinum looking to run away with the lead in their debut season.
Misfortune had hung over the blue side of town for four years, but Dynamos banished the bitter memories of missing out on the championship with a strong run that also saw them beating FC Platinum in their own backyard. That game at Mandava was the turning point as Dynamos shot to the top of the standings, eventually claiming their first league title since 2007.
They had watched in awe as Monomotapa, Gunners and most recently Motor Action take turns to bask in the glory they have always believed it was only them to enjoy. It didn’t look likely that they would break their four-year jinx as FC Platinum were on a roll only a few weeks back.
But a combination of fate and fortune saw the country’s most successful club claim a record breaking 18th league title. It’s a feat that no team has achieved and it was a glorious fightback for rookie coach Callisto Pasuwa. He was a surprise choice for the volatile position and even his longtime friend and predecessor, Lloyd Mutasa, somewhat didn’t believe in his ability.
What more can you say?
Just a couple of weeks after he was pushed out of the Dynamos dressing room, Mutasa told H-Metro that FC Platinum would win the league, a shocking statement from a man who had been tasked to lead the club to the Promised Land.
Pasuwa has always been viewed as an assistant but club chairman Kenny Mubaiwa made a bold decision and thrust him at the helm.
Dynamos’ season has been tough, especially their rivalry with FC Platinum, a club that has created so many enemies.
It has been a long walk to freedom, as Dynamos battled what they perceived to be football apartheid with allegations that their rivals paid their way to victories.
In the underworld of domestic football, the culprits have been named but whether it’s true or not is yet another question that will never find its way to an answer sheet.
But Maringwa believes the unity in their camp was a catalyst to their incredible achievements.
“It was really a magnificent run for us from June and because of the unity in camp, everyone fought for each other. Our sponsors BancABC also played a huge role in our success because they paid our salaries and it was easy for us to concentrate on our football.
“The fans were wonderful. They filled up all the stadiums we played in and against FC Platinum we needed to make a huge statement to show them that we were the bigger club and we did just that.
“But I feel our run-up to the game at Mandava won us the title. We were trailing FC Platinum by so many points and we needed to keep winning.
“We reduced the gap magnificently and we knew what we needed to do when we went to Mandava,” Maringwa said.
Maringwa also reserved special praise for defender George Magariro, who took over the armband in his absence.
“George has been magnificent. He has been the most consistent player for us in the last three seasons. He is one of the best defenders in this country, there is no doubt about that. He has played every single game in the last two seasons and he only missed four games this season.
“He is a very good guy, he has a great character and I also feel the other guys helped him a lot as well.
“The senior guys, the Murapes, the Kutyauripos, the Malajilas helped a lot because we had some youngsters who had just come through and they didn’t really understand what it meant to play for Dynamos.
“We had a disastrous Champions League campaign due to inexperience but I’m glad they have grown mentally, they now understand what it means to play for Dynamos.”
Maringwa said he is looking forward to the new season and he is not thinking about hanging up his boots.
“When you play for Dynamos, every season is great and every time that you are on the field you feel good.
“We have great coaches in Pasuwa and Tonde (Ndiraya), they struck a balance between the senior and young players and I think that was key to our success.
“The previous coaches contributed a lot too, it’s unfortunate they couldn’t carry on with the team.