DENVER Mukamba’s much-anticipated return to Dynamos colours may have to wait a little longer after the club lost the race to secure his clearance in time for today’s Premier Soccer League match against basement side Border Strikers at Rufaro Stadium.
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
The former University Pretoria, Bidvest Wits and Jomo Cosmos player has been training with the Glamour Boys, the team with which he made a name for himself before the fruitless move to South Africa in 2013 and is itching to revive his faltering career.
Although Dynamos embraced their prodigal son, the reunion is taking long to take off.
The player’s manager Gibson Mahachi told Standardsport in an interview that they were only expecting to receive the player’s reverse clearance on Monday (tomorrow).
“Everything has been agreed and if we had received his reverse clearance, he [Mukamba] would have been free to play, but unfortunately, we didn’t manage to get it on Friday as expected. We will only be able to get it on Monday, which effectively rules him out of tomorrow [today]’s match,” Mahachi said yesterday.
Dynamos treasurer Webster Marechera, who is handling Mukamba’s transfer, had initially expressed optimism that they would get Mukamba’s clearance.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“We were expecting to hear from his manager last night [Friday], but he did not communicate anything so we are still waiting. You can get in touch with him. As it stands, it means we cannot use him, but we are still hoping that maybe something will change by end of day,” Marechera said.
A darling of the Dynamos faithful due to his sublime skills and goal-scoring prowess, Mukamba has fond memories of his time at Dynamos where he established himself as a cult hero.
Ironically, he makes a return to Dynamos under the same coach that gave him a chance – Lloyd Mutasa.
After parting ways with six players, Dynamos are keen to bolster their squad after capturing the signature of Tsholotsho midfielder Simba Gorogodyo, who is also awaiting clearance from his former club.
They have also promoted two juniors in Cedrick Maruta and Farai Matope into the senior team, while also acquiring the services of Tawanda Macheka from Midlands State University.
The former champions had a horror start to the season, losing four times in the first eight fixtures of the season, but are currently on a four-match winning streak which has seen them jump to fifth position on the log standings.
Should they win again today, it would see them keep in touch with the leading pack which includes Highlanders, FC Platinum and CAPS United.
The Harare giants have enjoyed a good record against the struggling teams, winning all the matches they have played against the bottom six sides thus far. A win against Border Strikers today would give them a perfect record against the bottom six clubs.
Team manager Richard Chihoro, however, does not think Dynamos are guaranteed maximum points against the struggling visitors.
“It’s not an easy game at all against Border Strikers. These so-called small teams are very dangerous because they are not under any kind of pressure. All they want to do is to spoil the party and brag that they are the ones who stopped us,” Chihoro said.
“The good thing is morale is currently high in our camp and we owe it to our fans to win this match. They must come in their numbers to support the team and we always play better when they turn up to the stadium,” he added.
Defender Ocean Mushure is the only injury doubt as he was battling to pass a late fitness test, with Dynamos having in-form players in Masimba Mambare and new captain Stephen Alimenda fit.
On the other hand, Border Strikers – who are now under the guidance of Never Malunga after sacking Warriors assistant coach Saul Chaminuka – claimed only their second win of the season last week.
They put their in-house challenges aside to upset Moses Chunga’s Harare City at Dulibadzimu.
