Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHEN Dynamos walk into the Colliery Stadium this afternoon, for a Munhumutapa Challenge Cup date against Hwange, it will be more than just a fixture for big goalkeeper Harmony Nare.
It is at this venue that his career catapulted to greater heights and capturing Premiership giants’ CAPS United attention last season prompting them to go for his signature.
Nare had spent nine seasons at ZPC Hwange and to most of the local fans, he was still the small boy who grew under their watch until he graduated into a PSL star. In fact, over the years some scouts from Scotland, South Africa (Polokwane City) and locally had knocked on the electricity company’s door, seeking his signature.
Each time that he was on the verge of signing a deal, Nare would pick an injury that would put a damper on what could have been his breakthrough.
Out of frustration, the towering goalkeeper had decided that he would only consider moving from ZPC Hwange if an opportunity arose at Dynamos, Highlanders or CAPS United.
After years of struggle and near misses, the club finally earned PSL promotion in 2024 while Nare was crowned the Southern Region Soccer League Goalkeeper of the Year. In his 30 appearances for ZPC Hwange, he kept 21 clean sheets and conceded only nine times to inspire his side to 25 wins in the season.
Yet his breakthrough into the top-flight was to be delayed once again.
ZPC Hwange were told that they could not play in the top-flight because of FIFA regulations which bar clubs who have the same ownership from competing in the same league.
ZPC Kariba were already in the PSL when Nare team’s won promotion.
Resultantly, they (ZPC Hwange) sold their franchise to MWOS, who had completed the season as runners-up in the Northern Region Soccer League, behind Scottland.
However, as fate had it, a breakthrough finally came and Nare joined CAPS United.
Coincidentally, that same year, Hwange had been relegated.
That meant there was no immediate return to the Colliery for Nare, albeit in CAPS United colours.
Yet he lasted just one season at CAPS United before crossing the capital’s divide to rivals Dynamos.
With the coming of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, Nare finally gets to visit the Colliery, an arena that gave him a name.
Dynamos face Hwange today, and Nare will be part of the team, this time as a player-assistant coach.
“It is a big one for me, it will definitely be an emotional moment because after spending nine years in ZPC Hwange colours, Chipangano also became family but today we have to be opponents,” he said.
“Since the draw, my phone has been ringing countlessly, some of my childhood mates asking if I am coming, you can tell what it also means to them.
“This is a stadium and the community that gave me a name, there is so much history between us and this will be more than a game for both.”
Interestingly after parting ways with CAPS at the end of last season, Nare also had a difficult start at Dynamos.
He was between the sticks when they were embarrassed 5-0 by league champions Scottland in a season-opening Castle Challenge Cup.
Out of frustration, Nare retraced his footsteps back to Hwange with the hope of joining the Colliery side.
Yet it was not long before DeMbare followed up on him, seeking to re-engage his services. Now Nare has also been elevated as the goalkeeper’s trainer at DeMbare.
“The transition was not difficult at all, we share a good relationship with the other goalkeepers and now for me it is just a matter of playing a leadership role,” he said.
“We understand each other very well and they listen to my instructions without undermining me, this makes my job easy.
“When the offer came, I took it as an opportunity to continue serving the club, whether I am a player or a coach on that particular day, to me it is about serving the badge.”
Dynamos will be hoping for a win to make it to the Cup’s round of 16, with eyes on the US$ 1 million prize money for the winners. Despite the emotions of being back against Hwange, Nare insists he will be out for a Dynamos win.
“All I know is that we must win, it is a cup game and we will give it our all to progress to the next round.
“I understand some of their players because we were mates, they cannot be underestimated because they have experience from playing in PSL sides.
