DYNAMOS say they will rein in their captain Murape Murape after his public spat with a section of supporters who are calling for the veteran midfielder to retire.
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Murape, using a Facebook account Murape C Murape, earlier this week tore into a club supporter Takesure Kativhu who had posted on Dynamos Facebook page Dembare Dotcoms suggesting that the 34-year-old has reached “his expiry date” and should call it quits.
The veteran midfielder, who is denying that the account is his although NewsDay has it on good authority that it belongs to him, called Kativhu a “misguided idiot whose duty should be to support the club and nothing else”.
The post continues to trend on the social networks, with some supporters saying Murape showed a great deal of unprofessionalism by responding to Kativhu’s suggestion while others are fighting from the player’s corner.
Dynamos secretary-general Webster Chikengezha yesterday said the utterances made by Murape are very unfortunate.
“We are yet to talk to him to find out if it’s his account used, but if it’s his then it will be very unfortunate. As a club we don’t condone such behaviour especially from the team leader and even from our supporters. But I cannot say anything more at this moment because we are yet to get Murape’s side of the story,” said Chikengezha.
The spat between Murape and the supporters comes ahead of Dynamos’ crucial league clash with Black Rhinos at the National Sports Stadium, a match between two teams who appear to be enjoying contrasting fortunes.
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On one hand is a Dynamos side currently on third position on the log standings and challenging for their fourth straight title, while on the other hand is a Rhinos side who are third from the bottom and already fighting for dear life.
The hosts have collected 10 points out of a possible 15 in the last five matches and in contrast, Rhinos have managed just five in the period under review.
These statistics alone make Dynamos favourites going into the match, while their opponents hope for an upset win, a result which could be very significant in their relegation dog-fight.
This fixture last season was comfortably won by Dynamos, but Rhinos assistant coach Matsika Ndega is hoping for better fortunes this time around.
“We are not in a position where we want to be at the moment and we have to start winning. I know it will be a tough match, but we have prepared well and we hope to turn the tables after they beat us last season. Everyone is happy, we don’t have any injuries in camp and hopefully we will win on Sunday (tomorrow),” said Ndega.
Last week, Rhinos surrendered a goal lead against Highlanders at Barbourfields and eventually lost the match 3-1. In that match, they missed the services of midfielders Wonder Kapinda and Douglas Mbewe who were suspended for accumulating yellow cards.
More good news for Rhinos ahead of the match is the return to full fitness of their chief striker Lot Chungwa who has been sidelined since May.
“They are very crucial players for our side and their availability widens our selection,” said Matsika.
Dynamos are going into the match on the back of a goalless draw away to Chicken Inn, a scoreline which brought back the team’s strike-force under the spotlight again.
