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Bigboy Mawiwi

Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
HARARE City coach Bigboy Mawiwi has admitted that the Sunshine Boys lost their bid to land midfielder Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo, who was their prime target, as they were beaten to his signature by Dynamos.
Chitiyo played for Monomotapa and was one of the most sought after players, following the relegation of his side at the end of last season and Harare City had made a bid, only to lose to rivals Dynamos.

He is expected to make his debut in the Champions League when he plays for Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
Yesterday Harare City unveiled 27 players for the squad this season and Mawiwi believes he managed to find replacements for his intended target Chitiyo and Silas Songani who is now in Denmark.

“I did not manage to get all players because initially we had targeted Ronald Chitiyo and I have to be honest that we wanted him because of his great ball movements and creativity.

“I thought his type of play would suit the type that we also play, but unfortunately we lost to Dynamos but we have to move on and we got Benson Maglas and Mqele Sibanda who is equally good and has that eye for goal as well.

“So I think we are now okay,” said Mawiwi.
Harare City also unveiled Francisco Zekumbawire, who no longer has his trademark ginger hair, Agrippa Murimba, Misheck Mburayi, Takudzwa Chimwemwe, Arnold Chivheya and Timire Mamvura as their new players for this season.

Zekumbawire is coming from Hwange and makes a return to the capital after he failed to make an impact at Dynamos while Maglas and Chivheya were at CAPS United.
Mamvura  came through the Dynamos juniors and was at Tripple B last season while Chimwemwe was one of the stars at Northern Region Division One side Twalumba FC.
Warriors player Mburayi had appeared unsettled after leaving Triangle but has found a new home with Sibanda coming from FC Platinum although Quelaton held his rights.

The club also officially unveiled David George as their assistant coach while former Dynamos physiotherapist Killian “Irie” Kadye also joins the technical team.
Harare City finished third last season but were left kicking themselves after failing to beat CAPS United and win the Premiership on the last day.

“Right now we have 27 players and we still have to fill the other slots. It was not easy selecting the new players.
“It was a quite a challenge because the period for trying new players is very short yet the some of them are very good but will not be fit.
“So we ended up taking people whom we know can bring good results, basing on their performances at other clubs last year,” said Mawiwi.

The reigning Castle Lager Premiership Coach of the Year said his aim was to win the league title this season and continue drawing more fans to their games.
“We want to do better than last year and it’s not going to be easy. There is need to hard work and have unity of purpose.”

Harare City chairman Leslie Gwindi shares the same ambition of winning the championship and is hopeful George’s experience will help their squad.
Gwindi called on his players to be disciplined as well as showing passion and ambition to win big things.

Matthew Marara, the monitoring and evaluation manager of the City of Harare, said council was fully behind the football club.