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DeMbare in Rooins

Sport
AMBITIOUS Harare City FC once again reached into their bottomless pockets and delivered another blow to former champions Dynamos

AMBITIOUS Harare City FC once again reached into their bottomless pockets and delivered another blow to former champions Dynamos with the capture of Raphael Manuvire from ZPC Kariba just hours after they snatched Ronald Chitiyo from under their nose.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

These developments are a clear testimony of how Dynamos, who used to cherry pick from the market anyone they wanted, are no longer the number one destination in local football.

Ronald Chitiyo
Ronald Chitiyo

The Glamour Boys used to sit at the top of the table feasting on the transfer market, but now sit under it waiting for left overs until after the likes of Harare City and FC Platinum are satisfied.

DeMbare were punished particularly on Chitiyo whom they failed to tie down to a new long term deal throughout the year waiting to negotiate right at the end of his contract.

But despite their giant’s status they could not compete with the cash rich City, who were offering their targets the world to join them.

While Harare City were offering a fortune, DeMbare offered fame, which is no longer enough to woe the best players.

Dynamos secretary Webster Chikengezha conceded yesterday that they cannot compete with Harare City’s spending power.

The club will have to redraw its transfer plans after losing out on Chitiyo and Manuvire.

“We can’t match their (players) demands and they would rather join clubs of their choice,” Chikengezha said. “We don’t want to find ourselves in unnecessary debt. We want players who have commitment and loyalty. You find that it is the highest bidder who is getting a player and we can’t match that.”

Harare City are not yet done terrorising other clubs in the transfer market as they are closing in on the signature of Triangle winger Marvin Gaki, who was also subject of Caps United’s interest.

Harare City secretary-general Mathew Marara yesterday announced the capture of Manuvire and Chitiyo.

He said their team had been doing well defensively, but were weak in attack, hence their decision to bolster that department.

Marara was happy they had managed to land the two top players ahead of tomorrow’s Caf club competitions player registration deadline.

“We have been doing well defensively, but we were lacking in attack,” Marara said.

“This is the area we wanted to bolster especially in view of the fact that we are going to play in the Caf Confederation Cup. The two players are an exciting addition to the team. We still want to add one more player in attack. We are chasing Gaki of Triangle. We hope to seal the deal by tomorrow (today). If we don’t get him, we will register those that we have and leave one slot open.”

Harare City has already added highly-rated Triangle defender Jimmy Tigere and Flame Lily and Warriors leftback Edwin Madhanaga and if they manage to sign Gaki, it will be their fifth acquisition. The Sunshine City Boys have also managed to retain most of their players including William Manondo, goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu, Martin Vengesai, James Jam and Crispen Dickson.

They could, however, lose Talent Chawapiwa who has refused to renew his contract, with reports suggesting he is heading for Zvishavane’s FC Platinum.

The Sunshine City Boys, who won the ticket to represent Zimbabwe in the Caf Confederation Cup host AS Adema of Madagascar in the preliminary round on the weekend of February 12-14, with the reverse fixture slated a fortnight later in Antananarivo.