Kawondera dynasty lives on
trend some of the players have worked with this coach at various clubs in the past five seasons.
“The players had become accustomed to their coach, maybe they love his philosophy but we cannot do that at Dynamos,” charged Murape.
The 2007 Soccer Star of the Year, who joined Dynamos Juniors at age 12, says he is a victim of the truth, hence his documented clashes with players.
Murape was accused of being the force behind the suspension of Kingston Nkhata, Peace Makaha, Marshal Machazane and Obey Mwerahari for allegedly fanning discontent at the club.
“I am unapologetic about my belief in the truth. I won’t be diluted like Mazoe Orange Crush, I will remain Murape with my character but it’s wrong for people to assassinate my character.
“I cannot personalise Dynamos. I am a small fish in this big DeMbare pond. The only problem, maybe, is I told the players the truth. Seriously, I can’t lie to the players and tell them they are good when they are fighting relegation.
“Besides, I believe the players we worked with were intoxicated by the previous technical team to behave negatively. AFTER bagging the Chibuku Super Cup but before providing two Soccer Star of the Year finalists for the first time in their history, Lowveld side Triangle now wants to add a little more sugar to an already sweet season by claiming the Castle Challenge Cup.
The captain of this ship, Ralph Kawondera who comes from the Kawondera football dynasty, is oozing with confidence ahead of today’s season closing match against league champions FC Platinum at Mandava.
Ralph is not in any way related to former Warriors top striker Shingi, but he comes from a family that has given this nation footballers such as former Darryn T stalwart Raphael, lower division coach Ralph senior as well as former Dynamos and Triangle striker Richard.
His twin brother Raphael Jr and goalkeeper Chamunorwa are also earning their keep in the Division One League.
“It’s a great feeling in Triangle, we worked as a team this season and we now want to cap it all by winning the Castle Challenge Cup,” said the 28-yearold Kawondera.
The Castle Challenge is played between the league champions and
“But that’s bad, we have all played and achieved a lot for this club and we should allow the team to succeed even in our absence.”
Murape also claimed Nkhata was ring-leader of the rebels.
“I will quote what Kingston said, he actually said ‘we are going to fight fire with fire, we are going to soil your names’.
“But they can soil our names or whatever they want to do but Dynamos will remain Dynamos, people come and go,” said Murape.
The Dynamos assistant coach also spoke about a WhatsApp group created by a cartel of senior players on which decisions were made. winners of the country’s premier football knockout tournament, Chibuku Super Cup.
“It means a lot for the people of Chiredzi, they have been behind us all season and they deserve to enjoy these sweet times,” said the 28-yearold Kawondera.
Having toiled hard in search of glory at clubs like Kambuzuma United, Highfield United, Twalumba, Flame Lily and Herentals, the utility Kawondera, who is comfortable either as a D-Link or at centre back, has finally found his groove at Triangle.
He was tipped for the 2018 Soccer Stars of the Year calendar but sadly missed out, with his teammates Nhamo Lameck and speed merchant Phineas Bamusi making the final XI.
Triangle coach Taurai Mangwiro, who is the joint November Coach of the Month with FC Platinum gaffer Norman Mapeza, whom he faces today, thinks Kawondera deserved a place amongst the best.
“I was actually tipping him (Kawondera) for the calendar but I wouldn’t want to take away anything from those selected.
“Remember we were the fourth best team in the league, the champions FC
“Some players came to us and told us about this WhatsApp group. It was on this group where it was decided which games to play (well) and which ones not to play (well).
“It was like there was now a parallel structure. There’s nothing wrong with forming a WhatsApp group but if it’s working against the club then it’s not good.”
At DeMbare’s final game against Nichrut at Ascot last weekend, players verbally attacked team manager Richard Chihoro as they demanded their dues.
“At the end of the day you find that all this is blamed on Murape, but why? I am an honest man, I love Platinum have three players on the calendar so who are we to ask for more,” Mangwiro told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“But I would like to believe we showed a lot of potential in this season. Last season we finished ninth and bowed out of the Chibuku Super Cup at the first hurdle.
“This year we are fourth and we are the Chibuku Super Cup champions. And now we have the Castle Challenge Cup ahead of us.
“It’s a game worth winning because we want to end on a high. People will always remember us more for the last thing we did.
“All the games we have played against FC Platinum have been very close and entertaining so I hope this one is no exception,” said Mangwiro.
The Sugar Sugar Boys enjoy a better head to head over Pure Platinum Play in the 2018 season, having held the Zvishavane side 0-0 in May before winning 3-1 at Gibbo in the reverse fixture. FC Platinum coach Mapeza is likely to rest his key players as the miners have a looming midweek CAF Champions League fixture against CNaPs of Madagascar. Pure Platinum Play drew 1-1 in Madagascar and the return leg is at Mandava on Wednesday. “It has been a very tight program for us, we arrived from Madagascar on Thursday night and travelled to Zvishavane the following day so it will be all about mental strength. “We know the challenge we are facing. Thumbs up to Tau (Mangwiro), he has done really good and it’s for everyone to see,” said Mapeza.