Tag: Tinashe Makanda

Makanda Finally Bleeds Blue

FORMER Highlanders forward, Tinashe Makanda (pictured centre), says Dynamos are one of the biggest clubs in Africa.

www.dembare.net

He feels he couldn’t resist the Glamour Boys’ offer when they came knocking on his door since this represents a huge leap in his career.

The 26-year-old striker had been a free agent since the expiry of his contract with Bosso in July last year.

“I am very happy to join Dynamos. Hopefully, it’s going to be a fruitful season and I look forward to achieving the best results,’’ he said.

“I would like to thank the coaches, and the management, for giving me the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs on the continent.’’

The forward signed a one-year deal with the option for renewal.

Makanda has been under the DeMbare radar since last year.

He is one of the five players who were unveiled by the Glamour Boys this week.

“It was not an easy decision. As you know, I had become part and parcel of the Highlanders family, during my stay there,’’ he said.

“The club helped me a lot to be a better player.

“It was also not easy to leave the Highlanders supporters, who have been very supportive.

“I would like to thank Bosso, their supporters and staff, for grooming me and helping me showcase my talents.

“Unfortunately, I have to move, in life you have to embrace new challenges.”

Makanda’s manager, Trust Nyambiya, said the move to DeMbare was the best for the player.

“Football is not just a sport for these footballers, they have families to feed, sometimes it’s all about following the best offers.

“This move is like moving from a cottage into the main house.

“That is to say your life has changed. The boy is happy to join the biggest club in Zimbabwe,” said Nyambiya.

The player ignited a social media storm in October last year after he signed a pre-contract with Dynamos.

The move was aborted as clubs battled to get direction on the status of the contracts, which expired during the coronavirus pandemic, when no football was being played.

Nyambiya said they were clear that the contract with Bosso had expired and they were looking for more options in Zambia and Tanzania.

“There is a difference between a deal and a pre-contract. We signed a pre-contract with Dynamos (late last year) which remained open to seek more opportunities outside Zimbabwe.

“There was a chance to move outside but Highlanders failed to produce his clearance on time citing that he lost their playing kits of 2018.

“So, they wanted to be refunded for that, which we did the day after the announcement of the lockdown.

“From there, we have been asking for the release letter but they have been saying their offices were closed,” said Nyambiya.

Makanda, who also once had a stint with Stellenbosch FC in South Africa, is one of the five players unveiled by Dynamos this week.

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.

www.dembare.net

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.