Cuthbert “Gaddafi” Malajila is set to make his long-awaited return to the local scene as he is expected to feature for Dynamos when the Harare giants clash with Shooting Stars in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
The forceful striker rejoined Dynamos last month, but was not eligible to play as he was waiting for an International Transfer Certificate from his former club, Club Africain in Tunisia.
However, Gaddafi was finally cleared on Thursday and if selected by new coach Calisto Pasuwa, will make a formal return to the fortress of Rufaro, a venue that gave him fame.
Malajila yesterday told NewsDay Sport he was excited to be back at Dynamos as he tries to re-launch his flagging career.
“This is the moment I have been waiting for and it’s finally here. It has been very frustrating for me in the past few months, but all is well now and I am happy to be back at Dynamos.
I will do my best for the club and try to push hard as a team so that we can win all our remaining matches,” said Malajila.
The former Warriors striker left Dynamos in August last year when he signed for Club Africain, but the club then loaned him to Libyan side Al Akhdar.
However, Gaddafi failed to see out his six-month contract as civil unrest forced the former Chapungu and Highlanders gunslinger to return home where he has been training with Dynamos.
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Malajila’s return to action coincided with some technical changes at the club, which saw head coach Lloyd Mutasa — who lobbied for the recruitment of the striker — being shown the exit and replaced by Pasuwa last Tuesday.
The nimble-footed striker said the changes have not affected him or his teammates.
“Nothing has changed much. The approach maybe different, but we are still the same team. We still have the same ambitions and drive to win.
As players we don’t usually focus on those changes, but we just work hard and do whatever we will be told by the coach. The mood has been good in camp and we are just waiting for the Sunday (tomorrow) game to start. I cannot promise anything at the moment. I’m working hard like everyone else in camp.
I will do most of the talking on the field,” added Gaddafi.
Malajila’s return will be a welcome relief to the Dynamos family who have been lacking a trusted and experienced striker.
In another interesting clash of the weekend, Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe will face his former paymasters when the new Kiglon gaffer faces Caps United at Gwanzura Stadium today.
Jongwe and his assistant Alois Bunjira and Rodwell Dhlakama were sacked earlier this week after posting a string of poor results and will definitely want to prove to Caps United he was the right candidate for the job.
Lloyd Chitembwe has assumed the hot seat at Caps and is being assisted by Kennedy Nagoli. Second-placed Motor Action — smarting from a shocking 3-2 loss to Hwange last week — will want to put more pressure on log leaders FC Platinum when they welcome third placed Highlanders at Motor Action Sports club in yet another blockbuster clash of the weekend.
The Mighty Bulls are on 37 points, two shy of FC Platinum who plays Zimbabwe Saints at White City tomorrow.
Fixtures Today: Chicken Inn v Hwange (Luveve), Motor Action v Highlanders (Motor Action Stadium), Blue Ribbon v Masvingo (Rufaro), CAPS United v Kiglon (Gwanzura) Tomorrow: Zimbabwe Saints v FC Platinum (White City) Shooting Stars v Dynamos (Rufaro), Shabanie Mine v Gunners (Maglas)
