The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda Sports Reporter
HE might still have some reservations over the way he was treated at Dynamos, who owe him money for his services, but Ocean Mushure has a love message for the Harare giants from his base in Lusaka, Zambia.
“I love Dynamos. In fact, I miss DeMbare and all the good moments I enjoyed at the club,” the 2017 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year runner-up told The Sunday Mail Sport.
The veteran left-back joined Lusaka Dynamos in January 2019 and is among numerous Zimbabwean players who are plying their trade in the Zambian Super League, which concluded prematurely last week after authorities there stopped the competition due to coronavirus.
Nkana were crowned FAZ/MTN Zambia Super League champions by virtue of a superior goal difference over Forest Rangers (who also had 50 points), after the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) elected to end the season in the 27th round, as clubs failed to adhere to Covid-19 protocols.
Mushure’s Lusaka Dynamos finished 9th, one place behind Kabwe Warriors, who are home to the former FC Platinum duo of Nelson Maziwisa and Ali Sadiki, as well as ex-Hwange goalkeeper Collen Phiri.
Reigning Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year, Joel “Josta” Ngodzo, who joined Buildcon FC at the beginning of the year, headlines a cast of Zimbabwean players now plying their trade north of the Zambezi.
Former Harare City right-back Takudzwa Chimwemwe and ex-Ngezi Platinum Stars winger Donald “Spanner” Teguru are also at Buildcon FC.
Evans Katema, who was Dynamos’ top scorer last season with 12 goals, is now at Zanaco, while the duo of Tafadzwa “Fire” Rusike and Thabani Kamusoko are at Zesco.
The 2017 Castle Lager PSL Golden Boot winner Dominic Chungwa and former Herentals star Kelvin Bingala are on the books of Lumwamwa Radiants.
Diminutive midfielder Tanaka Chinyahara has found a new home at Red Arrows after he was snubbed by Dynamos, while 2014 Castle Soccer Star of the Year Dennis Dauda is at Lusaka Dynamos.
Former Yadah centre-back Jimmy Dzingai has settled at Power Dynamos.
In recent years, Zimbabwean players have trekked to Zambia, where they are earning at least US$2 500 per month, while the winning bonuses range between US$500 and US$1 000.
Despite the pastures being greener, the 35-year-old Mushure still misses the DeMbare atmosphere.
“It is good here in Zambia. I have adjusted well to the physical game. The game here is more of power play, but I adjusted quickly and I am commanding a first-team jersey.
“At least here you can earn a reasonable salary. I am building my own house back in Harare. Our careers as players are short and we have to maximise on the opportunities that come our way.
“It is unlike back home where we had salary issues. I served Dynamos well, but I feel the club did not appreciate my services.
“I was there for the club in good and bad times, but the way I was treated at the end was not right. The club still owes me thousands of dollars.
“But, I still love DeMbare, they will remain in my heart,” said Mushure.
Dynamos, however, denied owing their former captain huge sums, insisting they owe Mushure “a very little amount”.
“We owe him just US$100,” said Dynamos spokesperson Tinashe Farawo.
Mushure’s teammate, Dauda, is also enjoying his time in Lusaka.
“The Zambian league is just great. Now I am used to the type of football here.
“I know what’s needed in this kind of league, which is a bit more physical, and I am comfortable now.
“There is not much difference between the league back home and the Zambian Super League. The major difference is on payments; the clubs here are efficient when it comes to paying their players.
“But, in terms of talent, I think we (Zimbabwe) are a bit better, but that is not to say there are no talented players in Zambia,” remarked Dauda.
Dauda won the Soccer Star award while turning out for ZPC Kariba.
There was a major concern for Zimbabwean players in Zambia after authorities there halted the competition with three rounds to go due to rising coronavirus cases.
Red Arrows midfielder, Chinyahara, was early this month omitted from the team that faced Nkana after complaining of a headache.
The talented midfielder has since recovered and is back home in Chitungwiza.
“It was a good first season for me in Zambia,” said the 24-year-old midfielder, who once had a stint in Denmark with Hobro.
“The Covid-19 issue was a huge scare but we managed to play some games before the league was stopped again. Now I just wait for next season.
“The Zambian League has good competition and there are a lot of good players. You need to work very hard here because they love to train hard here.
“I am in constant communication with Kamusoko, he is a good brother. I also talk a lot with Katema, sharing football ideas.”
Chinyahara also recalled how he missed a chance to play for Zimbabwe’s record champions, Dynamos.
He went for trials in 2018 but then-coach Lloyd Chigowe was not impressed.
“The whole management loved me so much and they wanted to sign me but it was coach MaBlanyo (Chigowe) who said he didn’t like short players,” claims Chinyahara.
Defender Jimmy Dzingai is still the choirmaster he was during his days with Yadah and the Warriors.
He is also feeling good at Power Dynamos, who finished sixth.
“We finished sixth but personally I had a good season. I must say the game here is too physical; you need to be fit and strong,” said Dzingai.
