by TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA MASIMBA Mambare says he has now recovered from a career-threatening injury that threw him on the sidelines for the better part of the 2014 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season and wants to repay Dynamos for their patience during those hard times. The former Highlanders forward sparked controversy when he crossed the floor to join the Zimbabwean champions as a free agent after his contract with the Bulawayo giants had expired. He had promised Bosso he would renew his contract, but went on to sign for their rivals on a three-year deal, thus worsening the bad blood that already existed between two of Zimbabwe’s highly-decorated football clubs. He signed on a transfer fee of $15 000. That move riled the Bosso faithful and as if he was cursed, he didn’t see much game time at Dynamos after suffering a career-threatening knee injury during the Independence Cup semi-final against Harare City at the National Sports Stadium. Mambare (28), however, says he doesn’t regret his decision to move to Dynamos and vowed to pay back Dynamos for supporting him throughout the time he was nursing his injury. “No, I don’t regret at all. It was a personal decision to move to Dynamos. It was motivated by the desire to face challenges and it had the support of my family. I understand that in football, people have their own way of looking at things. “They want you to play for this and that team, but the decision I took is what my family wanted and we are not regretting. I felt I had done enough for Highlanders and it was time for me to move on and face a new challenge. It should also be understood that like anybody else, I need to improve in life and joining Dynamos gave me that platform,” Mambare said. Mambare said it pained him to be on the sidelines after injuring his knee and expressed gratitude to Dynamos for the support they gave him as he nursed the injury. “I didn’t have the best of moments since I moved from Highlanders as I got injured early into the season. It was really painful to miss most of the games played, but I would like to thank Dynamos for their support during that difficult time and I believe the only way I can repay them is by contributing in the defence of our league title. “I have now recovered and am feeling a lot better now. I just need to continue working on my fitness. I am just praying I won’t get injured again and I am working flat out to get my fitness level back and I know everything will fall into place and I will realise my full potential,” he added. The forward, who also played for Motor Action and was part of the squad that won the championship in 2010, expressed confidence their new technical team would help them deliver the championship. “I haven’t worked with David Mandigora, but he is a great coach. He knows how to handle pressure. He has been in the system for some time and it’s a privilege to work under him. As a player, all I need is to work for my place in the team. It’s always difficult to get into the team especially at Dynamos,” he says. In 2014, Mambare featured in just two league games against Buffaloes which they won 1-0 before he was substituted on 60 minutes and played in the 2-1 loss to ZPC Kariba. He had played in the first round of the African Champions League: against Mochudi Centre Chiefs of Botswana and AS Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also played in the Bob 90 Super Cup before the injury. Dynamos, eager to defend their championship, are still battling to tie down some players — strikers Rodreck Mutuma, Simba Sithole, midfielders Russel Madamombe and Tafadzwa Rusike. The PSL has given clubs February 13 to start the registration of their squads for the 2015 soccer season.
