The Sunday Mail
CHAMPIONS Dynamos will finalise their 2015 squad on Wednesday, amid indications that the club’s reduced budget might cost them key players who played a crucial role in their historic league triumph last year.
The club’s chief sponsor, BancABC, reduced its allocation to DeMbare by almost 40 percent, according to club secretary Webster Chikengezha, leaving the champions to make do with a figure far below the usual $700 000 per annum.
DeMbare are still to pin down the twin strike-force of Roderick Mutuma and Simba Sithole, while talented winger Tafadzwa Rusike, midfielders Devon Chafa, Tawanda Muparati and Russell Madamombe are some of the players whose fate is yet to be sealed.
Chikengezha revealed that DeMbare had sent proposals to the players’ representatives, but admitted that lack of funding was hampering progress on the negotiating table.
Chikengezha also said his club would abandon the negotiations if they do not agree with the players’ representatives by January 5.
“It is not like these players are not worth the prices being asked for, but as Dynamos we are financially hamstrung due to the reduced budget from our chief sponsors.
“We are so grateful to BancABC for sticking with us even in these trying economic times. Almost every company in this country is struggling and has to cut its expenditure and we are not spared either at DeMbare.
“We have sent our proposals to the players’ representatives and gave them up to January 5 to respond. If we don’t get a response by then, we will assume they have thought otherwise and will move on.
“We are finalising our squad on Wednesday and that is when we should announce which players are staying or leaving,” said Chikengezha.
Renowned player manager Gibson Mahachi, who manages Chafa, Sithole and Madamombe, confirmed the ongoing negotiations but said the player’s concerns would prevail at the end of the day.
“I can confirm that we have started negotiations with Dynamos regarding Chafa’s new contract; they have put forward their offer to DC Academy and to the player.
“We are sitting down with DC Academy and Devon to discuss and more importantly listen to the player regarding his personal terms and conditions offered. It is also important to note that Devon is a DC Academy player,” said Mahachi.
Chafa is still owed $2 000 by DeMbare from the previous loan deal which expired at the end of last year and chances are high his handlers will opt for another loan spell.
Mutuma and Rusike’s manager Edzai Kasinauyo could not be reached for comment as his phone went unanswered.
January 5 could also seal the departure of long-serving player and skipper Murape Murape, who turns 35 this year, and is out of contract at a time the champions have adopted a new policy of signing young players for the future.
The injury-prone Clive Kawinga, the misfiring Patrick Kumbula and Madamombe could also be on their way out, while the future of vice-captain Muparati hangs in the balance amid reports that Bulawayo sides Highlanders and How Mine are interested in the left-footed player.
Soccer Star of the Year finalist Themba Ndlovu has already moved across town to Harare City, the diminutive dynamite Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo has left for South Africa’s Mvela League, while second vice-captain Thomas Magorimbo has since indicated his intentions to seek other pastures.
DeMbare have, however, managed to hang on to two of their most prized assets in defensive linkman Stephen “Chibaba” Alimenda and roving left back Ocean “Gungwa” Mushure.
