Tag: Gold Leaf Tobacco

Despite Inaction, 2020 An Eventful Year For Dynamos

IT has been a very productive year for Harare giants Dynamos FC despite the 2020 Premiership season having been wiped out by the Covid-19 pandemic, a raging ailment that has also claimed several lives in the football fraternity.

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The Glamour Boys have struggled to make an impact on the field of play in the past two seasons spending the better parts of the terms battling for their lives.

But coach Tonderai Ndiraya had assembled a strong-looking side early this year with the former Ngezi Platinum Stars gaffer drafting in more than 11 new players before the season was called off due to the pandemic.

While the year has largely been quiet due to lack of field action, Dynamos took advantage of the lull to put their structures in order and fill several Club Licensing gaps.

While other teams like CAPS United have lost their principal sponsors due to the Covid-19-induced hardships, Dynamos have managed to retain their financial partners, Gold Leaf Tobacco, while welcoming a US$300 000 kit sponsorship deal with Looks as well.

Instead of giving excuses like their counterparts, Dynamos have embarked on several outreach programmes, keeping their vibe and relationship with their supporters intact.

Dynamos Marketing And Communications Manager Yvonne Mangunda (pictured), said her team saw a window of opportunity to enhance their visibility even at a time when the game is not active.

“We have had several community outreach programmes during this lockdown. In our effort to support the Mbare Community, we partnered with our all-weather sponsors Gold Leaf Tobacco to donate food hampers to the needy member of that community,” said Mangunda.

“We have had so many initiatives, doing outreach programmes in Tynwald, Budiriro and Msasa. Just last weekend we also provided some section of our supporters in Glen Norah, who identify themselves as “MaDembare,” with some kits  while they go about their hairdressing business.

“Basically, we realised that Dynamos is a big club and they have a lot of supporters in all parts of the country who we know have been deprived of action for the whole of the year so this is just a way to remind them that we are still there and we value them. We have decided to keep in touch with them.

“We have always and will always try to reach out to our supporters so that we remain in touch at a time when we are not able to meet them at the stadiums.

“In all these outreach programmes, we have tried to give our fans the opportunity to interact with the players so that we build and enhance the bond that exists between these two inseparable sets of people.

“A lot has happened at Dynamos but we are in that phase where things have taken a different direction with the current administration which we have at Dynamos at the moment. A lot has been said about the team and a lot has happened too but in the last two years, things have taken a different direction and more is still to come.

“We appreciate our supporters and the people in general. You may have seen that we have tried to give some of our legends the replicas which are on sale throughout the country right now just as a way to appreciate them. We have given the replicas to the likes of Desmond Maringwa and Murape Murape, among others. Our legends are still part of us, they are still part of the family and we value their input,” Mangunda said.

Dynamos’ partnership with Belgian side KV Mechelen has also seen them receiving top-of-the range scientific equipment to be used in training.

Dembare Official Kit To Be Unveiled Soon

DYNAMOS Football Club have refuted widespread speculation that the kit (pictured) worn by players at their ongoing social responsibility programmes and training sessions is the official playing kit for the Harare giants.

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DeMbare Chairman Isaiah Mupfurutsa says Dynamos will, infact, unveil their official 2020 playing kits in the coming weeks.

The Premier Soccer League management recently revealed that the 2020 season is provisionally set to be played in a mini league “bubble” format.

The 21-time champions are ticking all the right boxes at a time when some financially struggling local clubs are feeling the full impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

But for the usually problem-ridden club, what was largely expected to be a tough year for them has in fact turned out to be a fairly smooth sail for the club, all thanks to principal sponsors Gold Leaf Tobacco.

The DeMbare boss clarified the matter, “Contrary to what most people think, the kit that was widely circulated on social media about two weeks ago is not the official kit that will be used by the team but it’s part of regalia that players will use during social responsibility initiatives.

“We are involved in so many social responsibility programmes in partnership with our sponsors RG-Gold Leaf Tobacco and our players must be identifiable when doing non-profit work in communities,” explained Mupfurutsa.

“The official kit will be unveiled in a few weeks.” 

“Now that football has been given the green light to resume, we are forging ahead with plans to unveil a brand manufactured official kit that will be used in the mini league format that is being proposed by the PSL,” he said.

Turning to the DeMbare/ RG-Gold Leaf Tobacco partnership that has seen the club resemble a smooth sailing ship, Mupfurutsa said the club was in a good space and would continue to strive to improve the welfare of its players.

“We are in a good space, we can’t complain. Our sponsors have been very generous by making sure we navigate through these difficult times as our players are paid on time and did not have to worry about pay cuts when other clubs were struggling to keep afloat.

“We are in the first two years of a five-year deal and the relationship between the club and our sponsors keeps growing,” he added.

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.

“This Is Your Captain Speaking…….”

“I would like to thank Gold Leaf Tobacco and all our other sponsors for taking care of our needs and our families too, that is the reason why some of us are doing what we are doing.

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“Having a good sponsor also helps players in motivating them. When people have money they are serious about their work

“I have played in South Africa and Zambia and picked a lot of lessons, in terms of career development, but I miss winning the league title. I decided to come back to Dynamos to win those titles.

“To then come back, after attachments outside the country and other teams on the local scene, and be handed the captaincy means the world to me.

“Such appointments, at a great team like Dynamos, come with increased responsibilities and I should state that I am ready for those responsibilities.

“I salute the technical team and the management who decided to give me this huge responsibility.

“I am ready for the challenge and, come the end of the season, we will be celebrating like we used to do back in 2012 and 2013.’’

“It has been long but I knew the very day I left the team that one day I would be back again,’’

“I believe the team has signed some of the most talented players we have in the country at the moment.

‘’You look at Juan Mutudza, Sylvester Appiah, King Nadolo and Tino Chiunye, to name just a few.

“Those guys are talented and it reminds me of the days when I first arrived at the team.

“Most of us were new but you would look at Denver Mukamba, Devon Chafa, Rodreck Mutuma and others and conclude that we were, indeed, bound to write a piece of history.

“That is the same feeling I have at the moment. But, hard work is everything. I have been telling the guys how we used to do extra training back then with amazing results.”

“We are looking forward to a great season. Our main worry is when the league will start.

“We are aware of the Coronavirus. We just hope they find the cure and just put this thing to end for good.

“We actually can’t wait for the season to start.”