Scramble for players
ONCE again, it is that time of the year when domestic Premier Soccer League clubs flex their financial clout in luring talent, while those with nothing to offer lose out.
Ideally, the off-season transfer window period gives a glimpse of what to expect when the season finally gets underway with the most active teams highly likely to transform their dominance on the market onto the field of play.
With the input of highly placed sources within PSL clubs, Post Sport this week takes a look at how different Premier Soccer League clubs have performed on the transfer market where generally Simba Bhora appeared to have been the busiest.
After surviving relegation in the penultimate round of the 2023 Castle Lager Premiership fixtures, the Ethanol Boys, who are also fondly referred to as Boys DzeNharo, are leaving no stone unturned in putting their house in order to make a lasting impact in the forthcoming 2024 season.
Post Sport has it on good authority that the Billy Rautenbach-owned side has completed the signing of Hwange duo of Godwin Goriyati and Medrick Mandeya as it seeks to bolster its squad.
The Chisumbanje-based outfit has also acquired the services of former Harare City player, Learnmore Muyambo, who was once pursuing his career in South Africa.
The Rodwell Dhlakama-coached team is also understood to have roped in gifted former Harare City and Yadah Stars forward, Jerry Chipangura.
As if that was enough, GreenFuel also acquired the services of Tino Meke who was with relegated Craneborne FC last season.
However, reports linking talented attacking midfielder, Denver Mukamba with GreenFuel for a possible reunion with Dhlakama appear to be mere bar talk as the former Warriors fringe player remains a Glamour Boy.
GreenFuel boss, Fred Moyo said: “We are definitely assembling a team that is capable of competing favorably in the top-flight league. After surviving relegation, we are now focusing in making an impact in the league, at the same time being mindful of promoting local talent in our marginalised Chisumbanje area.” Manica Diamonds
Ambitious Mutare outfit, Manica Diamonds
GreenFuel FC
Kudzai Dhemere FC were among the early birds and went to Chiredzi for a two-week training camp.
Manica Diamonds coach, Jairosi Tapera and his charges went to Chiredzi on Monday for their pre-season camp.
They conducted medicals on the eve of their trip and started training on Tuesday.
The Gem Boys will spend the next 14 days in the Lowveld.
The Gem Boys shuttled from Mutare
to Gibbo for their home games last season and still finished second in the marathon behind champions, Ngezi Platinum Stars, but the club is highly likely to revert to Sakubva Stadium this year following the completion of drainage and turf renovations.
They are hoping to go for gold this time around.
As part of streamlining their team for improved efficiency, the Gem Boys released ageing players like Donald Ngoma, Ralph Kawondera, Timire Mamvura, Talent Chamboko and goalkeeper, Jorum Muchambo to make way for fresh talent.
Manica Diamonds have roped in youthful former Dynamos and ZPC Kariba player, Kudzai Dhemere, and former Shaesham captain, Nigel Mupanduki.
Manica Diamonds chairman, Masimba Chihowa, said: “We have started our pre-season training camp as per tradition, and we are preparing well for the forthcoming season. We are generally satisfied with the squad that our coaches are assembling. We are assembling a competitive outfit that is capable of making the people of Manicaland proud.”
Dynamos started proper training this week after the technical team last week opened a slight window for trialists.
Arguably the country’s best supported football institution, DeMbare are understood
Dynamos
to have acquired the services of former Young Warriors captain, Temptation Chiungwa, brother to Lot.
Interestingly, this is set to be Temptation Chiungwa’s debut domestic Premiership season after plying his trade in South Africa’s second tier league at Cape Town All Stars and Cape Umoya.
Recently, he was playing for JBR, south of the Limpopo alongside fellow countryman and former CAPS United player, Ishmael Wadi.
The Gamecocks have acquired the services of Brighton Makopa from Hwange as part of a few additions that they have roped into their 2024 squad.
Makopa was Hwange’s top goal scorer from last season.
After competing favorably last season, Chicken Inn were always not expected to make an overhaul of the team, but build on the foundation available from last season.
The Bulawayo giants are going about their pre-season business silently and
Chicken Inn Highlanders
the election of a new club chairman could also be the reason for inactivity on the transfer market.
However, new coach, Kevin Kaindu understands local football very well and apart from tying down most of the players from last season, the Zambian expatriate might now have a rough picture of the squad he intends to assemble for the 2024 season.
Post Sport understands that the former PSL champions have already snatched Mbongeni Ndlovu from Highlanders as well as Brighton Manhire.
The Norman Mapeza-coached team is also understood to have put pen to paper with former Bulawayo Chiefs right back, Felix Moyo.
However, they have lost former soccer star-of-the-year, Walter Musona and Perfect Chikwende to Simba Bhora and went to offload their ageing former captains such as Gift Mbweti and Gift Bhero.
FC Platinum are also understood to have snatched Shepherd Mhlanga from Chicken Inn.
Champions, Ngezi Platinum Stars have given their players enough rest and could start their pre-season next week.
This is despite that they will start the season earlier than most of the teams, as they feature in the season opening Castle Challenge Trophy against Dynamos on February 17.
In player transfer news, Ngezi Platinum, being the champions, would not want to tinker much with their title winning outfit and Ngezi Platinum being Ngezi Platinum, the club has a niche of promoting talent from their junior ranks.
However, the 2023 PSL champions are understood to have roped in Manica Diamonds reject, Talent Chamboko. CAPS United
Nothing much has been said or written about the Green Machine’s exploits on the transfer market. Be that as it may, as the season draws closer, Post Sport will keep ears on the ground for more transfer news and updates.