DeMbare axe  three players Patrick Khumbula
Patrick Khumbula

Patrick Khumbula

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CHAMPIONS Dynamos have released the trio of Cliff Sekete, Milton Makopa and Patrick Khumbula as the Harare giants move to create space for their mid-season signings, with the return of unsettled striker Rodreck Mutuma becoming a big possibility by the day.

The Glamour Boys secretary-general, Webster Chikengezha, yesterday revealed they agreed to part ways with midfielder Sekete, who has seen little action this year due to injury, following the expiry of his contract.

Makopa and Khumbula still had contracts running until December but they were also sacrificed to accommodate returning forward Takesure Chinyama, ex-Triangle striker Richard Kawondera and last year’s Northern Region Soccer Star Zivanai Mhanda.

Chikengezha said the defending champions were looking to bolster their squad after performing below their own expectations in the first half of the season.

“We had a squad of 30 at PSL and the fact that we signed more players during the window to beef up our squad means that we had to deregister some.

“According to the rules, a club can only deregister five players and I can confirm we have released three players Sekete, Khumbula and Makopa.

“We didn’t renew Sekete’s contract while Makopa and Khumbula are now free to join any club of their choice,” said Chikengezha.

DeMbare could be forced to wield the axe again in the coming days to accommodate two more players.

Former Young Warriors defender Victor Kamhuka is also on the way back to the Glamour Boys, having spent about three months training with the side.

Dynamos were this week joined by Mutuma who appears desperate to switch back to the Glamour Boys following a brief spell with their rivals CAPS United.

The champions yesterday gave the strongest hint that Mutuma could be retracing his footsteps back and have left him to sort out his issues with Makepekepe first.

Mutuma, who crossed the Great Divide at the beginning of the season, recently left the Green Machine and is pushing for a clearance to enable him to move on with his career.

Chikengezha said they will only entertain negotiations with the lanky forward after they get a clear position of his standing with Makepekepe.

“The situation with Mutuma is not clear at the moment. He requested to train with us and he has since started.

“But he has to sort out his issues with CAPS United first and, again, we have to hear from the coaches if they want him or not.

“We cannot turn away a player who wants to train with us, especially at this moment, when the window is open.

“Remember we also have Guthrie Zhokinyi who is training with the squad and it doesn’t mean we have signed him.

“So we would need to understand Mutuma’s position with CAPS United because we understand he has a contract with them,” said Chikengezha.

DeMbare are looking to launch a strong fight in the second half of the season to enhance their chances of winning the championship.

They have won the title in the last four years in succession under Callisto Pasuwa but with the season now on the halfway mark, it appears the new technical led by David Mandigora will need to do more.

DeMbare are currently third on the log standings, with 27 points, two behind pace-setters Chicken Inn.

“We had wanted 30 points at the middle of the season and, unfortunately, we only managed to get to 27, which is not very far anyway.

“So we said to the coaches let’s see how it goes from here because it will be nice for us to retain the title.

“That remains our goal but when a club has new coaches and a number of new players usually it takes time for the team to gel.

“But I believe we are now a unit and with the new players coming during the transfer period we can only look forward to a positive finish,” said Chikengezha.

Fixtures

Today: Tsholotsho v ZPC Kariba (White City)

Saturday: Chicken Inn v CAPS United (Luveve), Harare City v Flame Lily (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Chapungu (Mandava)

Sunday: Whawha v Dongo Sawmill (Ascot), Dynamos v Hwange (Rufaro), Triangle v Highlanders (Gibbo), How Mine v Buffaloes (Luveve).

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