Former Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Dynamos have embarked on a shopping spree, as they plan a major revamp of their squad after a barren 2015 season.
BY HENRY MHARA
The Harare giants’ four-year dominance of the league was brought to an abrupt end by Chicken Inn, in a season they failed to land any silverware.
The club’s hierarchy are looking at overhauling the squad, with at least five recruits set to arrive, with a number of senior players facing an uncertain future.
Club’s secretary-general, Webster Chikengezha yesterday told NewsDay Sport that they have already snapped up highly-rated Triangle midfielder, Tichaona Chipunza, who could come in as a replacement for Stephen Alimenda.
“Chipunza is now a Dynamos player. He signed a two-year contract,” he said. “We are looking at adding at least four more players to the squad. We didn’t play particularly well and naturally, we look at the ways we can improve next season and we think the squad is one critical area we have to look at.”
Chikengezha said they want to do their transfer business early to fend off competition from other clubs, although it appears they have lost the race to sign one of their prime targets.
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A source said they were also targeting Chipunza’s teammate at Triangle and Soccer Star of the Year finalist, Hillary Bakacheza, but it is understood that the midfielder, who was also on the radar of champions Chicken Inn, has already signed for FC Platinum.
Another source said high on Dynamos’ wish list is ZPC Kariba star, Raphael Manuvire, as well as their long time target Jacob Muzokomba, whose Buffaloes side were relegated.
But the Glamour Boys are set to face competition from Chicken Inn and Caps United, who are believed to be also vying for the same players. It is understood there will be a major clear-out at the club with a number of underperformers, including some senior players set to be shown the exit door.
Big names that are under threat include captain, Augustine Mbara and his deputy Alimenda, whose performances attracted a lot of criticism in the just-ended season.
Richard Kawondera and Zivanai Mhanda, who joined last season, also performed below expectation and are set to be released.
Milton Makopa, goalkeeper, Artwell Mukandi, Cliff Sekete and Ghanaian, Erick Opoku saw very limited game time and their stay at Dynamos could be up.
Ocean Mushure, their star player this season, is being linked with a move to Caps United although the player has refuted the claims.
Roderick Mutuma is expected to stay despite his misdemeanors, while Takesure Chinyama could be given another season.
Dynamos manager Richard Chihoro said the technical team is set to meet tomorrow to draw a list of targets.
Coach Tonderai Ndiraya is safe for the time being, although his performances, since taking over from David Mandigora, will also come under scrutiny, when the club’s executive meet the board for the season’s review meeting later this month.
Ndiraya was tasked to win the league, but a second place finish could be seen as a reasonable return.
Chicken Inn chairman, Lifa Ncube, whose side will participate in the Caf Champions League next year, yesterday refused to divulge his team’s transfer business, only revealing they have renewed contracts for Soccer Star of the Year finalist, Clemence Matawu, Devine Lunga and Ben Nyahunzvi.
Caps United boss, Farai Jere recently told the media he is also looking to do business early, with negotiations with some targets already at advanced stages.
