Maruwa says Murape vital at Dynamos

Bruce Chikuni
ONCE a blue, always a blue. That’s the story of Dynamos legend, Murape Murape, after he rejoined the club as assistant coach.

Before his recent appointment, Murape was head coach at the Real Betis Football Academy Zimbabwe, helping groom stars of tomorrow.

He was the first to land the post after the establishment of the Spanish-linked developmental project in the country about three years ago.

And, interestingly he has bounced back together with Llyod “Mablanyo” Chigove, who was his boss when they were fired in 2019.

But this time, Chigove now leads the club’s recruitment department.

On social media, people are asking if the Dynamos move was worth sacrificing the Real Betis’ post for Murape.

However, Dynamos head coach, Herbert Maruwa, has labelled Murape’s addition to his team as vital.

“Murape doesn’t need anyone to give him a warm welcome for him to feel at home, he has been here for a long time and it’s good to have him back,” said Maruwa.

“It was an important addition; he is someone who understands the culture of the club and it’s going to be easy to work with him because we have worked together before.

“He’s definitely going to add value to the team and all the knowledge he has gained when he was at Real Betis is also going to be a plus for the technical team.”

Maruwa was deemed a typical Dynamos coach after his appointment because of his gangster behaviour.

But it’s something he denied, arguing that people are always making up stories to tarnish his reputation.

Dynamos are scheduled to give ZIFA Central Region Division One League champions, and PSL new boys, Sheasham, a feel of top-flight football in a friendly at Ascot Stadium on Saturday.

Maruwa said he is going to use the friendly macth to try combinations.

“The match has been confirmed, and we are not giving ourselves any pressure, but we are going to use the match to test our fitness levels as well as combinations,” he said.

“We are still assessing these players and such games will give us direction of where we are going.

“We are not done with our pre-season, but these friendlies are necessary for the boys and they can also help them to know areas which they must work on before the season starts.”