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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS say they have not neglected legendary forward George “Mastermind” Shaya, whose health has been deteriorating rapidly after being diagnosed with dementia. The five-time Soccer Star of the Year award winner has been battling the condition which affects one’s memory. DeMbare board secretary Chris Kasiyazi says they have done their best and, if there is need to do more, they will put more effort.

“Wherever possible we have done our best but if there are signs that we have not done enough then there is need to up our efforts,” said Kasiyazi.

“He is our legend who has helped make Dynamos to be what it is today so we will try and possibly up the tempo.

“It’s quite unfortunate that economically things are not well to the point that we cannot give as much as we might want to.

“We are not really giving what we want to give as a club because, obviously, of competing demands for the club,” said Kasiyazi.

The DeMbare board secretary also highlighted that the team was a big institution which has several former players and, resources permitting, they would like to help everyone.

“There are so many players that have come through since its formation in 1963,” said Kasiyazi.

“Resources permitting, the club would love to help each and every former player but resources are scarce as we all know.

“Because of that what we have been trying to do is where we feel like we can help, we have actually assisted.

“When we help a player we don’t go to the press or broadcast that.

“But, of course, we have actually been doing something about it, not only to Shaya but with quite a number of players.

“One of the resolutions that we had last year at our AGM was to come up with a welfare fund for all the former Dynamos sons.”

Shaya and another DeMbare legend, Freddie Mkwesha, are likely to generate a lot of debate after naming their Finest DeMbare All-Star XI.

The two legends were asked to name the best XI players to ever wear the DeMbare jersey by our sister newspaper, Kwayedza.

And the duo left out Japhet M’parutsa and Frank M’kanga and, instead, settled on Gift Muzadzi as the finest ‘keeper to have guarded the posts for the Glamour Boys.

They have named another ‘keeper, Leo Ntawatawa, bringing the number of goal-minders to two on their list of the greatest players to wear the famous blue-and-white strip.

The two legends also named Tonderai Ndiraya among the club’s best XI players of all- time.

The list, which is in this week’s edition of Kwayedza, is likely to generate a lot of debate.

Meanwhile, DeMbare seem to be taking the fitness and nutrition of their players seriously this season as the players yesterday underwent tests at Green World, who specialise in natural health products.

The Dynamos players held their training session yesterday before the exercise began with the nutritionist conducting tests on each player.

The nutritionist will give recommendation to the club’s leadership on what every player requires.

“We check all the organs and different parts of the body. We check how the bones are functioning and whether you are fit enough,” Green World consultant nutritionist, Tabeth Zowa, said.

“For now we are working with one Premiership team and then, maybe, we will work with other teams.

“We don’t check if someone is sick but what is lacking on the nutritional side.

“For example, if there is a shortage of calcium, we can supply food supplements that address that.”

Shaya and Mkwesha’s Finest DeMbare XI Players

Gift Muzadzi, Leo Ntawatawa, David Mandigora, Oliver Kateya, Misheck Chidzambwa, Kenneth Jere, Edward Katsvere, George Shaya, Moses Chunga, Kembo Chunga, Tonderai Ndiraya.