Tag: Champions League

Mucherahowa Blasts Dembare Buying Spree

United Kingdom-based former Dynamos captain Memory Mucherahowa has attacked the club leaders for the current player-buying spree which he says is a consequence of the dearth of the club’s junior policy tradition.

Dynamos, who struggled to a ninth-place finish in the league last year, have been on an aggressive player recruitment drive which has seen the club bring in at least 11 new players in a bid to restore the glory day at the Harare giants.

The man, popularly known as Mwendamberi, who led Dynamos to the 1998 African Champions League final, castigated the Glamour Boys for abandoning the junior policy which was the heartbeat of the club from Independence until the early 2000s.

“It is a good thing that Dynamos is strengthening the team. I hope they will do well. My only worry is whether these players will cope with the demands of such a big institution,” the 50-year-old former captain said from his UK base.

“Dynamos used to rely on its junior policy and the youngsters would play in curtain raisers. By the time they graduated into the senior team, they would be aware of the demands of the team’s supporters.

“The fans knew their youngsters. They would form the core of the team with only one or two additions and not more than seven players,” he said.

Dynamos have so far signed 11 players, including Patson Jaure, Tanaka Chidhobha, Nkosi Mhlanga and Lennox Mutsetse early on in the transfer window.

The club also added Byron Madzokere, Tymon Mvula, Jeansmith Mutudza, David Temwanjira, Barnabas Mushunje, Tinotenda Chiunye and, lately, Sylvester K Appiah to the 2020 squad.

Coach Tonderai Ndiraya is looking to build a team that will compete for the Premier Soccer League title which the club last won six years ago.

However, Dynamos have made significant strides in trying to make sure that they revive junior football at the club as they now have a developmental side playing Division Two football.

“We had the generation of Kuda Muchemeyi, Shaw Handriade, Edward Katsvere, David Mandigora, then Clayton Munemo’s generation. We also had my generation followed by Simon Chuma’s and then Chamu Musanhu’s generation. We carried the Dynamos culture and got used to the fans’ demands before we graduated into the senior team,” Mucherahowa said.

 

Dembare To Bring In Two More Players

Dynamos FC Marketing And Public Relations Executive Tinashe Farawo has reiterated their full support for Coach Tonderayi Ndiraya in his quest to reposition the Glamour Boys at the summit of local football.

Dembare has undertaken a massive recruitment exercise that has so far seen 11 players joining the 21-time Zimbabwe champions. This, however, fuelled speculation among fans, media and observers that the Executive were hoarding players without the input of the coaching personnel.

With the first batch of new players being signed during the festive holidays when Ndiraya was away on holiday, speculation was rife that the Executive had panicked and were imposing players on Ndiraya.

However Ndiraya, on his return, was quick to give his seal of approval to everything the Executive was doing. Training commenced last Monday and most of the new players were available adding to Ndiraya’s bliss.

But Dembare are not done yet with Farawo revealing that Ndiraya still needs about 2 more strikers.

“We have been ticking the boxes and we are probably left with one or two strikers to complete our task. We are just working according to the list submitted by the coach and I think we are almost through with it,’’ said Farawo.

“I am sure the coach and his technical team are happy with what we have done so far because we have given them what they have asked for. The coach requested for the players, and we have given him the players, and we think we have delivered on our mandate. Now it’s left to him to work with the resources availed to him. This year should be our year. Our aim is to get to the top and play Champions League football again.’’

Farawo refused to divulge the 2 players left on their list, though it is believed Caps Utd speedy winger Phineas Bamusi is one of them.

But he took time to address fans’ concerns about the culture of acquiring many players each and every season, which used to be unheard of at Dembare.

“We are going to invest more into our development programme. That is why we have Dynamos age-group teams in our structures, and a Dynamos reserve side that is playing in the ZIFA Division Two league.

“We want it to be a big business enterprise, considering the huge potential that this team is sitting on. Dynamos is a club with a rich history, and that should reflect in every aspect.

“Almost every player dreamt of playing for Dynamos, but that hasn’t been the case, of late because of the mistakes of the past.The leadership is addressing those mistakes, and Dynamos will be a team of choice again in terms of winning trophies and marketing players abroad.’’