daniel chigunwe
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
STRAIGHT from a huge legal victory in which he was acquitted for fraudulently allotting himself a 51 percent shareholding at Dynamos, Bernard Marriot says his next target is to see success on the pitch.
He has been living under the threat of a court challenge in the past three years but he is now a free man after being cleared by magistrate Yeukai Dzuda last Friday.
On Saturday, he visited the DeMbare training ground in Belvedere to have an appreciation of the squad being put together by coach Lloyd “Mablanyo” Chigowe.
Dynamos have lost the core of their team and Chigowe has been the one battling to patch up the holes with some of his options drawing a lot of criticism as they barely match the ones they are replacing, at least in status.
“As the board, we don’t interfere with the manner the executive and technical guys go about their work.
“But it is always incumbent upon us to also get an appreciation of what happens in the field of play because that is the foundation at which the team comes up.
“That is the reason why I took it upon myself to visit our training ground on Saturday just to see how everything is unfolding in the team,” said Marriot.
He added:
“I would like to give the coach my full blessings. I know Chigowe is up to something special this coming season. He has been given the leeway to explore and rebuild the team in the manner he likes to see things unfold.
“I am quite confident that he is taking on board players who can fit into his rich playing philosophy. If you look at it, Chigowe managed to win the Chibuku Super Cup last year with a team that was there with previous coaches.
“It just goes on to show just how good he is as a coach. Now, he has the freedom to explore everything according to his own liking and there is absolutely no reason why we should not believe in him.
“Yes, the team might be looking lightweight in terms of the profile of players appearing on the roster but I bet, this is how teams have been built.
“Names do not play football. If you look at it, Chigowe is doing his thing in a meticulous manner in which he is also elevating players from our juniors, who he has worked with at some point as well.
“We are looking forward to a fruitful season and as the board, we have our weight fully behind our coach Lloyd Chigowe, an individual we have known for decades whose capabilities are well beyond any doubt.”
Marriot said the club is yet to replace Jonathan Mashingaidze who left his role as CEO.
“There is no doubting Mashingaidze’s knowledge of the local football terrain,” he said.
“I met with him during the ZIFA elections last week and we had a positive chat. He knows my position regarding him.
“I am his admirer when it comes to delivery. We will always consult him and we are ready to take his advice and everything. We know what kind of a person he is and his knowledge of the game and his experience are never to be underestimated.”
Online Reporter