CHAMPIONS Dynamos have finally landed former Highlanders forward Masimba Mambare on a three-year deal.
TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Mambare’s contract with the Bulawayo giants expired at the end of last term and Dynamos had been in talks with the player since then over the possibility of him joining them ahead of the African safari.
He had also been linked with a move to newly-promoted Premier Soccer League (PSL) side ZPC Kariba, but our sister paper NewsDay Sport reported late last year, the former Motor Action and Highlanders man has joined the Glamour Boys.
Dynamos secretary-general Webster Chikengezha confirmed they had yesterday signed the Zimbabwe international forward.
“I can confirm that we have signed Mambare. He signed a three-year contract,” Chikengezha said adding they were still in the hunt for a striker seeking to bolster their squad which currently has 26 players.
It is understood Dynamos paid $15 000 for the signature of the player and he only agreed to sign after the money had been paid into his account.
Mambare was a target of Bosso fans towards the end of last season after posted on his Facebook account that he was”‘former Highlanders player”.
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However, he turned in a masterful performance in the Mbada Diamonds Cup final and scored the third goal as Highlanders routed How Mine 3-0. Claims that he no longer wanted to don the black and white jersey seem to have been highlighted by his WhatsApp and Facebook accounts catch phrases in November last year.
His WhatsApp phrase is: “Before I leave . . .” while on Facebook it was written “Former Highlanders FC player 2013.”
He then claimed the WhatsApp phrase was from a reggae song and then took to Facebook to state his love for Bosso.
“It’s been a long time since I last wrote on my wall, but I just felt this time it’s worth every second I’m going to take just to clear the air here. I would like to extend my sincere apologies for the unfortunate news that is moving around the circles on all social networks. I am not doing this to hide my poor show this season, but I want you to know the truth, I am a Bosso player and I am committed to every Highlanders cause. For record’s sake, this team gave me a life in football, it gave me dignity and respect. Moreover it gave me a family and only God knows how I deeply appreciate all this. I never minded the booing and whistling the fans made on me for I know that is what comes with my job. All I ever wanted is to make a team that gave me a life proud, give my fans what they ever wanted a league cup. It’s unfortunate we missed one, but we have another to fight for. I wouldn’t betray such a big family as if they meant nothing to me. I would be lying to myself.”
And Highlanders seemed to have made contingency plans for his departure as they signed Valentine Ndaba from Shabanie Mine and Welcome Ndiweni from FC Platinum. Joel Ngodzo and Charles Sibanda from FC Platinum are also expected to sign before the closure of the transfer window.
Mambare will, however, only be able to start training with the Harare giants at the end of the Chan tournament. The former Highlanders forward is part of the 23-member squad which Warriors coach Ian Gorowa took with him to the biennial continental soccer tournament which kicks off in South Africa on Saturday.
Mambare had not been registered with the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and Dynamos will now have to pay a $500 fine for each player they will register after the December 31 deadline.
