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Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE thought of seeing either Khama Billiat or Walter Musona donning a Dynamos strip this season could remain a pipe dream after champions Scottland turned down a loan request from the Glamour Boys.
The Harare giants, who are desperate to shore up their ranks with experience, have been eyeing the duo along with other players like Michael Tapera, Tichaona Chipunza, Marvelous Chigumira, Kuda Myaba, and goalkeeper Kelvin Shangiwa, who are believed to have been deemed excess to requirements in new coach Norman Mapeza’s plans this season.
DeMbare had also shortlisted former Golden Boot winner Lynnoth Chikuhwa and Vassili Kawe but the pair has since been snapped up by Chicken Inn where they will be working with their former coach at Scottland, Tonderai Ndiraya.
Still, DeMbare had hoped to benefit from the pre-season pruning at the Mabvuku side after a number of players that played little or no part in Scottland’s title winning campaign were put on notice.
Veterans Billiat and Musona, who was the captain of the Mabvuku side last season, had reportedly indicated they wanted to move to a new environment.
Sources close to the parties indicated the Glamour Boys had made a move for the players. However, the negotiations appear to have fallen flat, just a few weeks before the start of the season.
“Dynamos had approached Scottland to get some of the players on loan but it seems Scottland are no longer keen on releasing the players to them.
“Maybe it has to do with the recent changes in the technical team or the club’s management. As you know, there have been several changes at Scottland and with that many things are bound to change as well, or it maybe that Scottland are just not keen on doing business with Dynamos.
“Maybe they fear a strong Dynamos could destabilise their ambitions for a second league title,” the source said.
Despite the setback, Dynamos are understood to be making progress in terms of rebuilding their side following the return of coach Genesis Mangombe to lead the side.
The players under the DeMbare radar include Mandla Mlilo, Witness Shave, Anotidaishe Gwatidzo, Collin Mujuru, Stanley Billiat, Moses Demera and Perfect Chikwende.
Dynamos were also expecting two players from Ghana, a central defender and a box-to-box midfielder, at the weekend to undergo trials this week.
The club is planning an official unveiling ceremony once negotiations with the targeted players have succeeded.
Scottland have also kept a tight lid on their pre-season player transfer business. They are yet to make an official communication on incoming players and the released players, some of whom have been unveiled elsewhere.
The Mabvuku side has reportedly signed three former Dynamos players as free agents. Goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa, Ghanaian defender Issaka Mahommad and midfielder Vusa Ngwenya are understood to have crossed the floor to the moneybags.
They also raided arch-rivals MWOS for star midfielder Abubakar Moffat and Simba Bhora for Emmanuel Ziocha and Isaskar Gurirab.
Scottland have also landed defender Khwakhe Thwala from Eswatini champions Nsingizini Hotspurs.
The Mabvuku outfit is n South Africa for a two-week pre-season training camp. It is most likely that their coach Mapeza still wants to have a closer look at most of the players at his disposal before making a decision on which ones to retain.
Online Reporter