Dynamos keen to retain Chimbetu

DYNAMOS are keen to sign right-back Wilmore Chimbetu from Herentals on a permanent basis with the player already training with the Glamour Boys although official negotiations between the two clubs are yet to commence.

Chimbetu spent the entire 2023 season on loan at DeMbare but saw limited gametime after complications with his registration lasted the better part of the term.

By the time the registration was through, Chimbetu had to understudy vice-captain Emmanuel Jalai who was in the form of his life. As a result, the 26-year-old only had to play bit-part roles participating in just six games, five of them coming on as a substitute.

But Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe, who is set for a substantive role at the club, knows how good the defender, who can also play as a striker, is and he has made a recommendation to the club to retain him.

Dynamos want to sign more players on long-term contracts, including Chimbetu, rather than taking them on loan.

The defender still has a one-year contract remaining with Herentals and the Glamour Boys need to negotiate with The Students to acquire his services.

Herentals secretary general Fainos Madhumbu yesterday said that the Glamour Boys are yet to formally approach them.

“Wilmore Chimbetu was on a season-long loan at Dynamos last year. He still has a contract with us that runs out in December this year. So for now he has reverted back to being a Herentals player,” said Madhumbu.

“We are not aware of any interest from any team so far. As we speak, we haven’t been formally approached by anyone regarding Chimbetu. If there is any interest in his services, we will see who comes and what they have to offer”.

Currently Chimbetu is training with DeMbare as Jalai is rumoured to be on his way out of the Harare giants.

A source said Dynamos were planning to formally approach Herentals about the player.

“Dynamos have made a decision on

Chimbetu already. They want him because he is viewed as a player capable of playing for the club.

“Remember last season, he was affected by the digital registration system and consequently had to play limited roles for the club.

“He is training with Dynamos and in the coming few days, a Dynamos delegation will formally approach Herentals and commence the transfer talks.

“The bottom line is that Dynamos want the player on a permanent basis. But if that fails to materialise, then they are still willing to take him back for another season on loan and see what happens next”.

Should Jalai, as is widely believed, leave the Glamour Boys, Chimbetu will be his natural replacement with Tendaishe Magwaza also one of the players capable of playing at right back.

Chimbetu was in high spirits as he joined 60 other players training at Dynamos yesterday with his custom-made Puma boots catching the attention of many.

Dynamos are leaving nothing to chance in their quest to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2024 season where they will be fighting on different fronts.

They will be chasing for the league title which they last won a decade ago and they will also be playing in the CAF Confederation Cup after they won the Chibuku Super Cup.

And Mangombe has so far made key signings including taking on board former JDR Stars utility Temptation Chiwunga.

The latter, who was part of the Warriors’ 2022 Afcon provisional squad, comes on as a direct replacement for defensive midfielder Junior Makunike who is now with Simba Bhora. After releasing leftback Brendon Mpofu, Dynamos have since recruited Nomore Chinyerere who was with FC Platinum last year. The Glamour Boys endured a frustrating league run last year especially with their blunt strike-force.

They have released some of the players who were awful in their strike force including Tinashe Makanda and Nyasha Chintuli.

They have signed Namibian forward Sydney Urikob on a two-year contract as they believe he could be the answer to their worries in the final third.

NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara says they will get their national events underway this month with the Baldmin Triangular Series first leg set for the National Sports Stadium.

The series usually starts around April but NAAZ are expecting some of their athletes to be part of team Zimbabwe to compete at the African Games in March.

The Games will be staged in Ghana. Tagara believes the national events will go a long way in helping local-based athletes prepare for the continental show-piece.

This has seen the national association scheduling the Baldmin Triangular Series first leg for January 27.

“The Baldmin Holdings Triangular Series usually comes around April. But this time around, we were deliberate to say let’s make sure we have the biggest event at the beginning of the year as part of our preparation for the major up-coming events.

“We are expecting all the top runners in Zimbabwe to grace the occasion. We deliberately put the event on the 27th of January to use it as a measure event for preparation for African Games that would take place in Ghana at the beginning of March.

“We are expecting our top runners to showcase their talent as they prepare for other upcoming major events. Most of our local athletes will be trying to post very good performances,” said Tagara.

Some of the provinces such as Harare and Bulawayo have had some provincial competitions also giving athletes a chance to check their readiness for the season.

Tagara said they are expecting a huge turnout for the meet and have assigned some of their top officials to be part of the organising committee to make sure the competition is a success and achieve the expected outcomes.“We are expecting athletes for the track events, middle and long distance, as well as athletes for field events to grace the competition. So we are expecting a huge turnout and preparations are ongoing.

“An organising committee was put in place headed by Harare province, the hosts and highest qualified officials from NAAZ will be there led by Mr Enias Nhoro and Ms Siphathisiwe Machaya, who are internationally recognised technical officials.

“Once again we want to thank Mr (Costar) Takawira of Baldmin Holdings for coming on board. We are happy that Baldmin Holdings has come to join Zimbabwe athletics again this year for this exciting event,”said Tagara.

Harare Athletic Board chairperson Cousinet Simunyu said they have made notable progress in their preparations to host the competition.“Preparations to host the event are at an advanced stage. We have secured the venue. The committee is working flat out to ensure the event is a success.

“The selection committee will be there to monitor and assess the short-listed athletes who were selected from previous competitions. It will also pave way for those that have not been selected to showcase their talent.

“But most of them I know they are on the long list because we were using national competitions we had towards the end of last year,” said Simunyu.*