Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
FORMER Warriors striker Newton Katanha, who is itching to revive his career in the domestic Premiership with champions Dynamos, will only know his fate tomorrow when the Glamour Boys trim down their squad.

The 39-year old forward has been training with the league champions for the last two weeks hoping to impress new coach David Mandigora.

DeMbare have indicated they needed cover upfront to balance their team as their chances to retain the services of Simba Sithole and Rodreck Mutuma appear slim due to the lack of progress in the negotiations for new deals.

Already they have signed two forwards Kenneth Bulaji and Kasimero Chimbadzwa.

But Katanha, who has playing experience spanning over 15 years, had been shortlisted by the Harare giants together with former Motor Action and Harare City striker Misheck Mburayi after passing the initial stage of the selection process.

The duo was given an opportunity to prove themselves in game situation when they featured in a practice match against Division One side Mushowani Stars on Saturday.

The match ended goalless.

DeMbare are also assessing a Ugandan striker, Kenneth Igama, who also featured in the game as a substitute.

The Glamour Boys played another practice match yesterday against Ngezi Platinum and they won 2-0 courtesy of goals from newboys Bulaji and Chimbadzwa.

Team manager, Richard Chihoro, said the champions have not reached a decision yet on Katanha and the other players who have been trying their luck with the Harare giants in the last two weeks.

DeMbare juniors’ product Kudzai Nyakasaka, leftback Victor Mudyandarira from the Lowveld and a Ghanaian midfielder were also part of the trials.

“The players featured in the friendly games but there is no decision yet.

“We will probably get to know who will join the team and who will be left out by Tuesday because that is when the coaches are expecting to come up with their team,” said Chihoro.

DeMbare look like they will have a different outlook this season after parting ways with players such as Tawanda Muparati, Thomas Magorimbo, Themba Ndlovu, Ronald Chitiyo and their captain Murape Murape who was not offered a new deal.

Although the new DeMbare technical team has indicated that they still want Mutuma, Sithole, Russell Madamombe and Tafadzwa Rusike to be part of their project, it appears the quartet may not be with the side this year.

New signings Qadr Amini, Godknows Murwira, Tonderai Mateyaunga, Obey Mwerahari, Carlos Rusere and Nigel Gandari were also given a run in the practice matches.

Midfielder Masimba Mambare, whose debut season with the Harare giants was affected by injury last year, also played yesterday as he hopes to play a bigger role this year following the departure of some key players.

“We have only had two weeks of training and obviously at this moment fitness is still a huge concern. The players are still to get to the levels we had expected and we will need to work very hard on that aspect in the coming weeks,” said Chihoro.

You Might Also Like

Comments