NEW: DeMbare lose another race to sign a key player

Online Reporter

DYNAMOS might have lost another race to sign a key player amid reports that highly rated Black Rhinos centre-back Gareth Madhake has chosen to join Ngezi Platinum Stars.

The 25-year-old Madhake, who featured in Black Rhinos’ 34 league matches last season, was earmarked to follow coach Herbert Maruwa to DeMbare, but The Sunday Mail Online has gathered that the defender is now heading to Ngezi.

Madhake was one of the key players at Rhinos when Maruwa, who was fired in July, was in charge.

Maruwa was then unveiled as Tonderai Ndiraya’s successor at Dynamos in December.

The gaffer is targeting to recruit some players from the army side, including top striker Eli Ilunga and left-back Farai Banda.

Ilunga has already agreed terms with Dynamos.

Maruwa is also keen on impressive defensive linkman Donald “Kante” Mudadi, whom he worked with briefly at relegated Harare City towards the end of the 2021/2022 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

Maruwa was roped in to assist Taurai Mangwiro at City, as the municipal-side battled against relegation.

A source close to the deal confirmed Madhake’s move to Mhondoro.

“Yes, he told me about the move (to Ngezi). He is actually grateful to Black Rhinos for what the club did for him,” said the source.

This is not the first time Dynamos have been beaten to a player’s signature in the run-up to the 2023 season.

When it appeared the Glamour Boys had all but secured the services of skillful winger Calum English-Brown, Chicken Inn ambushed DeMbare in November and swooped on the player, who is rated as one of the best dribblers in the topflight.

It is also highly likely that gifted wingback Banda will ignore Dynamos’ overtures and move to Manica Diamonds.

CAPS United were also interested in the services of the former Buffaloes man.

“Farai Banda is still with Black Rhinos but negotiations are underway.

“Manica Diamonds have, however, taken the lead in the race to sign the player,” a source said.

Meanwhile, Godknows Murwira is close to finalising a deal with CAPS United, a few days after contractual talks with Dynamos collapsed.

Murwira’s contract with DeMbare expired on December 31 but the defender was not impressed with the club’s offer.