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Dynamos sign DRC striker

Sport
Dynamos have completed the signing of little-known Democratic Republic of Congo striker Fabrice Mbimba on a one-year contract.

CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League champions Dynamos have completed the signing of little-known Democratic Republic of Congo striker Fabrice Mbimba on a one-year contract after a successful two-week trial with the Harare giants.

HENRY MHARA

Club secretary general Webster Chikengezha told NewsDay Sport yesterday that the player, who is joining from Zambian club Zanaco where he played in the Caf Champions League last season, would be registered with the PSL on July 1 when the transfer window opens.

There is very little information on Mbimba on the Internet besides that he is Congolese and played for Zanaco last season. However, Chikengezha said the ginger-haired player, who was used as a winger at Zanaco, impressed the Dynamos technical team during the two weeks he had been at the club.

“He signed a one-year contract with an option for renewal,” said Chikengezha yesterday.

“He has been training with us for the past two weeks and the coaches have been impressed. He will be leaving the country on Sunday to start applying for work permits and we are hoping that his papers will be in order before July 1,” he added.

Mbimba was part of the Dynamos squad that beat the Warriors 3-1 a friendly match at the National Sports Stadium on Wednesday last week where he was introduced as a second half substitute.

He also played in another friendly match against Northern Region Division One side DStv Rangers on Wednesday and reportedly produced a star performance that convinced coach Kalisto Pasuwa and his bench to sign him.

Chikengezha also said Dynamos had resigned to wait for the July 1 date to register Rodreck Mutuma who they signed two months ago. They had hoped to use the lanky striker who was offloaded by South African premiership side Bloemfontein Celtic, but complications with his clearance letters means that he will wait a little longer.

Dynamos host Triangle at the National Sports Stadium in a league game tomorrow, and in a bid to lure their supporters to the match, Chikengezha said they have slashed gate charges to $2 for the cheapest ticket, from the usual $3. A ticket to Bays 15 and 18 is $5 while the VIP has been pegged at $10.

The home side will be without hardman Stephen Alimenda through suspension while Anesu Gondo’s return to the fold has been further delayed after the striker contracted chicken pox this week.

Dynamos physiotherapist Knowledge Zambo said Gondo had been quarantined and would rejoin his teammates on Monday, in the event that his condition had improved.

Zambo also gave an update on the other injured players Tawanda Muparati, Sydney Linyama and Devon Chafa who he said have all started light training, but were not fit for tomorrow’s match.

Dynamos has been struggling for consistency this season, but victories in their last two matches before the international break should give them confidence.

The league champions edged Chiredzi 1-0 and before that, they beat FC Platinum by the same scoreline.

In contrast, Triangle has been very poor of late, picking just three points from their last five league matches to drop into the relegation zone. The Biggie Zuze-coached side were fretting over the fitness of David Sengu, Charles Rukwanhi and Blessing Chimwamuchere, who have knocks and would have to pass late fitness tests for the match.

But there is no doubt that the biggest match this weekend is the clash between log leaders Highlanders, who welcome ninth-placed FC Platinum at Barbourfields tomorrow.

Bosso, who are on 19 points and a point clear of second-placed Hwange, welcomed back striker Gabriel Nyoni, who had been sidelined due to an ankle injury.

History favours the hosts in this match, as Bosso is yet to lose a league match against FC Platinum at Barbourfields since 2011.

But the Lloyd Mutasa-coached side will go into the match knowing that it is very much possible to collect all the three points after beating Highlanders on penalty shoot-out at the same venue in the CG Msipa Charity Cup semi-final early this year and 3-2 in the ZNA Charities semi-finals.