Author: True Blue

Glamour Boys In Community Outreach In Mbare

DYNAMOS are today scheduled to take part in a community outreach programme in Mbare where they are expected to distribute food hampers to vulnerable senior citizens, with the backing of their anchor sponsors, Remington Gold.

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Club Chief Executive Jonathan Mashingaidze said the visit to Mbare was an epic reminder of the team’s rich roots.

DeMbare were formed in Mbare in 1963 and have maintained Rufaro Stadium in the heart of the suburb, as their home ground over the years.

Mashingaidze said they have identified households which will benefit from the club’s goodwill.

“Life has been difficult for everyone because of Covid-19,’’ he said.

“So, we would want to make sure that we reach out, to our fan base, and extend a helping hand to the elderly and needy.

“We have identified some needy households and it’s not necessarily going to be Dynamos fans only.

“Football brings us together so we have to be good neighbours with everyone who needs a helping hand.

“Besides, this one is an iconic visit.

“The venue of the event, Mai Musodzi Hall, is also befitting because of the work that Mai Musodzi did for the needy, and vulnerable, of the society.

“As a club, we also wish to make a positive impact in the society that we come from.’’

Mashingaidze said DeMbare will always remain a big part of Mbare.

“Remember Mbare is where it all began back for Dynamos back in 1963. Dynamos made Mbare the ceremonial home of football,’’ he said.

“So, we are simply retracing the footsteps of our founding fathers, and trying to give back to that same community, in our own small way.

“But, this is an ongoing programme and we are hoping to reach out to many other areas, with the help of our supporters’ chapters.

“This is one of the social corporate responsibility activities that we have undertaken as a club, with the backing of our anchor sponsors, Remington Gold.”

Mashingaidze said they were hoping to connect with their fan base, who have been deprived of football this year, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, they have been forced to limit the numbers of the people at the event because of the Covid-19 restrictions.

The Glamour Boys have selected only 11 players, and a few officials from the club and sponsors, for the tour.

“We would have wanted to have a bigger road show, if it was possible,’’ said Mashingaidze.

“But, because of the Covid-19 restrictions, we are limiting numbers.

“There will only be 11 players at the event.

“Of course, among those players we have selected for that, are those who were born and bred in Mbare and they are going to be part of the activities.

“So, you will see people like Munyaradzi Diya, Kudzanayi Dhemere, Tanaka Chidhobha and Jarison Selemani.

“The programme is going to be brief and we will follow the Covid-19 protocol to the letter and our security will help with ensuring people have face masks and are practicing good hand hygiene.”

DeMbare Ranked 13th In Africa

TWENTY ONE time Zimbabwe football champions Dynamos FC have been ranked on 13th place on the African continent by one of the world’s leading data collection football sites.

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This is despite the fact that the Glamour Boys have not won a league title in the last six years and are in the midst of their second longest barren run, in search of the league championship since their formation in 1963.

This dry spell matches a similar fruitless six-year search, without a league title, between 1970 and 1976.

However, their longest barren spell remains the 10 years the club spent staggering in the darkness, without being champions, between 1997 and 2007.

They have virtually disappeared from the jungles of continental inter-club football, where they used to be one of the regular participants, usually punching way above their weight, if one considered their lack of resources.

A magical run into the final of the CAF Champions League in 1998 represented the high point of their battles on the continent.

Then, a dozen years ago, David Mandigora also took them on a merry run, in the same tournament, as they reached the semi-finals.

British newspaper, The Guardian, even hailed their tale as world sport’s finest achievements that year.

Since Callisto Pasuwa left, having led them to four straight league titles, the best they have done, was when they finished second to FC Platinum in the 2017 championship race.

Only two points separated the top two clubs and DeMbare were comfortably clear of third-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars, with five points separating them from that chasing pack.

However, providing the blue sandwich, for the two platinum-backed clubs, painted the picture of the changing landscape, on the domestic football scene.

Superiority would now be determined, not by legacy, but by the size of the bank account.

Although the Glamour Boys have since faded from the continental radar, they have been ranked the 13th top club in Africa by one of the world’s leading data collection football sites, footballdatabase.com.

“FootballDatabase uses the adapted Elo Rating formula and applies it to a number of important football club competitions around the globe, with the aim to provide fans a mathematical ranking of World Football Clubs (taking) into consideration:

The team’s old rating

The considered weight of the tournament

The goal difference of the match

The result of the match

The expected result of the match

FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Champions League and Copa Libertadores

AFC Champions League, CAF Champions League, CONCACAF Champions League, Europa League and the Copa Sudamericana

OFC Champions League

“The different weights of national competitions, ratings tend to converge on a team’s true strength, relative to its competitors after about 30 matches.’’

According to the Footballdatabase rankings released this month, Egyptian powerhouse, Al Ahly, are the top club on the continent.

They are followed, in that order, in the top 10 by Esperance (2), TP Mazembe (3), Al Merreikh (4), Al Hilal (5), Zamalek (6), Etoile du Sahel (7), Wydad Casablanca (8), Raja Casablanca (9) and Mamelodi Sundowns (10).

CS Sfaxien (11), Vita Club (12), Dynamos (13), Primero de Agosto (14), Stade Malien (15), Orlando Pirates (16), Kaizer Chiefs (17), Djoliba (18), Atletico Petro Luanda (19) and Bidvest Wits (20) make their top 20.

Highlanders (33), Gunners (43), Chicken Inn (54), CAPS United (63), FC Platinum (72) and Hwange (86) are the other Zimbabwean clubs ranked in their top 100 on the continent.    

Footballdatabase rivals, Soccerverse, have Al Ahly as the leading African club followed by TP Mazembe 92); Esperance 93); Zamalek (4); Sundowns (5); DC Motemba Pembe (6); Wydad Casablanca (7); Raja Casablanca (8); Simba SC (9); Al Hilal (10) in their top 10.

They both use the same method of calculating their rankings.

The two football data collecting websites are in agreement that, as of now, German giants, Bayern Munich, the European champions, are the world’s top-ranked football club.

Footballdatabase give Bayern 2082 points while Soccerverse give the Bavarians 1957 points.

But, they differ on who should be in the top three and top 10 around the world.

Footballdatabase have Liverpool in second place; Paris St-Germain (3); Rea Madrid (4); Barcelona (5); Atalanta (6); Manchester City (7); Inter Milan (8); Sevilla (9) and Atletico Madrid (10).

Brazilian giants, Flamengo, are the top non-European club, in their rankings, in 16th place, while Manchester United are ranked in 26th place, which despite all the controversy related to such rankings, appears to be a fair reflection of where the Red Devils stand right now.

Tino Kadewere’s French club, Lyon, are ranked in 43rd place.

The Soccerverse rankings have Barcelona in second place, Liverpool in third place, PSG in fourth place, Manchester City in fifth place, Juventus (6); Real Madrid (7); Borussia Dortmund (8); Atalanta (9) and Manchester United (10).

Argentine powerhouse, Boca Juniors, are their top non-European club, in 13th place.

“Officially, there is no world ranking of club-level football, as for example for national teams,’’ Soccerverse explain on their website.

“Over several years, we gathered results of football matches in over 200 countries of more than 7000 teams. We adapted the FIFA ranking to fit club-level football to provide an always up-to-date ranking of teams around the globe.

“A world-wide ranking is provided by footballdatabase.com, this ranking is yet again based on the Elo system, a very different approach is taken by clubworldranking.com.

“If you check all these ranking sides, you will notice subtle differences in all rankings. But, which one is the most accurate? Is it even possible to judge that?

“Regardless of accuracy, world rankings are fun and provide enough fuel for conflict for heated discussions among football fans around the globe.’’

Remmington Gold Red Promotion Takes Off

Dynamos Football Club principal sponsors Gold Leaf Tobacco will kick off the Remington Gold (RG) Red Promotion tomorrow (Saturday) at three N Richards outlets in Harare.

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Selected Dynamos players will spend time at the outlets as brand ambassadors on the day.

They will be there from 11:30 at the following outlets:

N. Richards Tynwald…….Godknows Murwira and Munyaradzi Diya

N. Richards Graniteside…….Jarrison Selemani and Kudzi Dhemere

N. Richards Masasa…….Ngandu Mangala and Patson Jaure

Be there maDembare to meet your favourite players and corporate brand.

All Hail Gold Leaf Tobacco Company.

DeMbare Sign Makanda Amid Mavhunga, Chadya Rumours

DYNAMOS have signed striker Tinashe Makanda (pictured centre) from arch-rivals Highlanders as the club continues to do business at a time when local football has been shut out by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Makanda’s contract with Bosso is said to have expired in June and the player was understood to have been angling for a move to FC Platinum.

But DeMbare acted swiftly and on Wednesday they signed the forward.

Sources in Harare also claim the Harare giants have also signed Triangle Utd talisman Trevor Mavhunga.

However, the club’s officials are not confirming the move.

Dynamos Secretary-General, Webster Marechera, who was pictured with Makanda in full DeMbare-branded regalia, tried to claim he was not aware of the developments.

“We have not signed Tinashe Makanda and Trevor Mavhunga,’’ he said. “We are not aware of those deals, maybe someone took the picture.

“We are not signing players.  Someone should have taken the picture and posted it on social media.  It’s social media stuff,” said Marechera.

Highlanders spokesperson, Ronald Moyo, could neither confirm  nor deny that Makanda has joined Dynamos.

“We are not commenting on that issue,” said Moyo.

The Glamour Boys have also been linked with Ngezi Platinum Stars goalkeeper Nelson Chadya.

Chadya, who was voted the Mhondoro team’s Most Improved Player after conceding 21 goals in 31 games while keeping 13 clean sheets last season is understood to be split between Dynamos and FC Platinum.

His contract with the Ngezi side expires at the end of the year.

Coach Rodwell Dhlakama has brought in former Triangle goalkeeper, Chang Marion, as well as Issah Ali from Yadah, to the club.

DeMbare’s first-choice goalkeeper, Simba Chinani, is targeting a move to Moroka Swallows of South Africa.

If Chadya eventually joins Dynamos, he will reunite with his former coach Ndiraya, with the duo having worked together for close to three years at Ngezi Platinum Stars.

The relative stability at the Glamour Boys has been attributed to their principal sponsors, Gold Leaf Tobacco.

“All the activities happening, and the stability we have at the club, wouldn’t have been there without the support of our dear sponsors, Gold Leaf Tobacco, though the RG brand,” said club executive chairman, Isaiah Mupfurutsa.

Local Football Set To Bounce Back

ZIFA president Felton Kamambo yesterday said the football mother body were today expected to start formal engagements with the Sports and Recreation Commission to push for the return of the Premier Soccer League next month as a back-up plan ahead of the resumption of international football in November. 

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CAF announced the AFCON qualifiers were scheduled to resume between November 9-17 this year.

And, this means the long awaited back-to-back clash between Zimbabwe and Algeria, is likely to take place under these difficult conditions.

The bulk of Zimbabwe’s players ply their trade in foreign leagues.

The association risk failing to raise a competitive team if the domestic league remains in limbo.

“I am sure you are aware that FIFA have said teams are not obliged to release players for the qualifiers and, so, we have to have a back-up plan for that,’’ said Kamambo.

“In case we fail to get most of our players, then the local-based players will have to step in.

“But, the problem is that they haven’t been playing football. It was not possible to start the domestic league this year because of the lockdown restrictions.

“Football was also classified among the high risk sports.

“Our wish is for the domestic teams to start training, by end of September, in anticipation of the new season.

“In fact, the date we have in mind is 14 September, so that the league begins mid-October but, again, it all depends on the advice from the stakeholders.’’

The 2020 Castle Lager Premiership failed to start in March because of the lockdown measures.

Premier Soccer League chief executive, Kenny Ndebele said clubs were desperate to start training.

Ndebele acknowledged the introduction of the curfew had pegged them back, in terms of plans they had, for a September start to the season.

But the PSL chief urged the game’s leaders come out of their shells and put in place protocols to be tabled before Government for football’s safe return.

“We were hoping that the pandemic would be under control by August but, when the Government tightened the lockdown by introducing the curfew, we also had to slow down our push for a restart.

“We have been trying to understand and assess the situation on the ground.

“But, to be honest, the whole domestic football family went on sleep mode and there was no action,’’ Ndebele said.

ZIFA have set up a medical committee to help them draw up a strategy for the safe return of the game.

The authorities are being guided by the Government and health experts in their plans.

They are also taking notes from CAF’s 27-page document titled ‘CAF Guidelines to Resume Football in Africa.’

The document emphasizes on the health of the major stakeholders who include players, officials, fans, and other partners.

“There have been some engagements going on with the Sports Communication but we are looking to begin the official communication tomorrow (today),’’ said Kamambo.

‘’We are hoping that the medical committee would be through with their document to be presented to SRC.

“We were also hoping to conduct random tests on players, for a start, and use that as a gauge to see the impact the disease might have had on the players and officials.

“We are still going to be conducting the tests, while engagements with the SRC and Government continue.

“Resources have been set aside for that from the FIFA Covid-19 relief funds.

“We had to take this decision to push for the return of football after consultations with our various affiliates.

“Indications from the regions, when we did the consultations, were that we start next year but PSL indicated they wanted to start right away.

“And, like I indicated, we need to start preparing for the AFCON.

“We hope that the coach (Zdravko Logarusic) would have returned from his home in Croatia by the time the league starts.’’

ZIFA are also hoping to make use of the FIFA international friendly dates to prepare for the Warriors’ AFCON assignments. FIFA have set the week of October 7-15 as the official dates for international matches.

Ndiraya Wants Murwira Permanently

DYNAMOS coach Tonderai Ndiraya is keen to secure Godknows Murwira on a permanent deal.

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The utility player is on a one-and-a-half year loan from champions FC Platinum.

Interestingly, his two-year contract with the Zvishavane club expires in December.

The champions haven’t made any attempt to tie him down.

And Ndiraya believes Murwira will be key to his long-term Dynamos project.

“Murwira has always been in my plans,’’ the coach said.

“His loan with us runs out this December but, as a coach, I would like to have him beyond that period.

“He is one man who can give us a lot, in terms of experience. He is a good player and I definitely want him to stay.

“We have our own vision as Dynamos and, from a coaching point of view, Murwira fits well into that vision.”

Murwira joined FC Platinum last season after an impressive term in Ngezi Platinum Stars’ colours.

He was then loaned out to Dynamos. However, he was injured towards the end of the season with the injury being aggravated during pre-season.

He has fully recovered, following surgery.

The PSL, with the help of the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe, have been encouraging players, whose contracts have expired or are about to expire, to reach a mutually beneficial agreement, with clubs, for the good of the game.

FIFA have since underscored the need for a win-win scenario, in such cases, since the coronavirus epidemic disrupted the game.

FUZ are currently handling several cases in which players want to move out of clubs since some of the teams haven’t been paying them since March.

The 2020 domestic season remain suspended and there are no indications when it’s likely to begin.

Kadewere Still Hurt By Dembare Snub

ZIMBABWE international striker, Tino Kadewere says being rejected by Dynamos Football Club in 2014 was a huge personal blow for him because playing for the Glamour Boys was a lifelong dream.

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The lanky forward was offered to DeMbare by football manager Gibson Mahachi but the then Glamour Boys technical team felt the Prince Edward schoolboy wasn’t good enough after a trial stint.

Kadewere,18 then, was accompanied to the Dembare trials by his Prince Edward school teammate, Thomas Chideu, who also wanted to impress through trials.

A break into the biggest Zimbabwean club, Dynamos, remains a fantasy for many young footballers in Zimbabwe.

The Olympique Lyon forward has now spoken about the hurt he felt when his boyhood club rejected him.

“I was very sad because it was my dream team in Zimbabwe but, then, I did not give up,’’ he said.

“I kept on working hard and praying to God for the best.

“My brother Prosper kept telling me to keep a cool head and continue working hard.

Prosper Kadewere also spoke of his sibling’s Dembare rejection.

“After that trial, Tino was rejected. He was devastated. I personally had to drive to Zimphos to collect him and he was quiet the whole journey.

“Those that had qualified were asked to remain for lunch. I had to talk to him and leave him home,” said Prosper who also doubles the player’s local manager.

Tino also spoke about his family and upbringing.

“My (late) father and my brothers inspired me the most.

“Growing up, I used to tell myself that I want to be better than them, people used to tell me my brother Prince was a star so I had to surpass that.

“I am not surprised (by what he has achieved so far), to be honest, because my whole family used to tell me that one day I will be one of the best players to come out of Zimbabwe.’’

DeMbare legend Moses Chunga, who has a good eye for exciting football talent, has already picked Tino as a star for the future.

Unfortunately, during 2014, Chunga had no influence at the Glamour Boys to force them to take Kadewere on board.

 

Zuze’s Body Leaves For Bindura

The body of the late Dynamos Assistant coach Biggie Zuze has left Harare for Bindura where it will lie in state at the Zuze home tonight.

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Burial is scheduled for tomorrow (Monday).

In the picture above, football fans drawn from several clubs carry the body of Biggie Zuze from his Stoneridge house for the final journey to Bindura.

The funeral hearse left Stoneridge just after lunchtime and passed through Rufaro Stadium where Biggie has fond memories both as player and coach.

Scores of football fans were on hand to bid farewell to an illustrious servant of the game.

Zuze died in Harare last Thursday following pulmonary complications.

Zuze started his career at lower division sides in Mashonaland Central before making the big leap to Harare giants Dynamos in 1983.

At Dynamos he played alongside household names like Clayton Munemo, Elvis Chiweshe, Francis Shonhayi, Peter Fanwell, Lucky Dube, Leon Ntawantawa, Kenneth Jere, Moses, Taurai Mangwiro, Memory Mucherahowa and David Mandigora.

His brother Garikai was to join the Glamour Boys 2 years later in 1985.

As a coach Biggie had an eye for junior talent and was instrumental in setting up the famed Dynamos’ Kidznet project where he groomed stars like Desmond Maringwa, Murape Murape, Cephas Chimedza, Norman Maroto and Samson Choruwa, to mention a few.

He had coaching stints at Sporting Lions, Monomotapa, Triangle, in between having brief stints at his beloved Dynamos.

Despite the lockdown restrictions, a huge crowd is expected to converge in Bindura tomorrow to lay to rest a fine gentleman of the game.

He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Highlanders Fans Chip In With Help For Dembare9 Victims’ Families

In a touching show of camaraderie Highlanders Football Club supporters chipped in with cash and resources at yesterday’s function to commemorate the fourth annivessary of the road accident that claimed the lives of nine DeMbare fans.

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On the 11th of June 2016, the club lost nine of their fans in a road accident in Battlefields as they travelled to watch their team in a league encounter against Chapungu at Ascot in 2016.

And as Dynamos fans handed over food hampers to families of the deceased and survivors at the club offices at the National Sports Stradium, Highlanders fans in Harare represented by Tawanda Mudzengi were on hand to deliver their cash and resources to the bereaved families.

Dynamos vice-chairman Moses Shumba was naturally elated at the gesture by the Bosso fans.

“To have Highlanders supporters rallying behind this initiative is a great sign that our football is growing.

“We should only be enemies for 90 minutes and beyond that, we embrace each other as brothers and sisters. I salute you Highlanders fans.”

For the first time since the initiative came into place three years ago, survivors of the crash also received food hampers.

DeMbare Look Beyond Covid-19

DYNAMOS chairman Isaiah Mupurutsa says they have since started working on life after Covid-19.

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The local Premiership was suspended over two months ago with a framework for the way forward currently being worked on.

Mupfurutsa said the focus now is on preparing their life after the lockdown or whenever time they are allowed to resume football.

He viewed the life after Covid-19 lockdown as a loss in waiting as he said more costs wait for the club.

“Sooner or later we will be going back to our normal lives. The before and after coronavirus life won’t be the same. We will have more bills to take care of upon resuming training.”

“It’s a loss in waiting. We will need money for the protective clothing, sanitisers, face masks and disinfectants among other things,” said Mupfurutsa.

The chairman vowed to have all the protective clothing for the club.

“There will be a lot we didn’t plan for that will be required and we will make sure we provide all the prevention clothes. We won’t compromise on health and we are already planning for that life.”

“It won’t be easy but we will fight. We will put it on our priority list. Their health is our number one priority,” he added.

Mupfurutsa, who has been preaching the gospel of commercialising the club, said the programme is on the right track.

They recently launched a platform for selling replica jersey and said they are pursuing a licence that will help them have distributing agents.

“We are on the right track in terms of commercialising. We are starting with the replicas. We will have our nominated agents not the norm of seeing everyone and anyone selling our replicas.

“We want fans to buy the replicas as a way of helping or contributing to the team. We are at the final stages of registering our business and that will guard us from anyone who will sell our jerseys without our permission. With a license we will be able to apply the law.”