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Eddie Chikamhi

Senior Sports Reporter

FORMER Dynamos development coach Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa has been tipped to take over the hot seat at the Harare giants next season.

Maruwa, who was part of Callisto Pasuwa’s backroom staff when the club went on a trailblazing run which ended when Dynamos last won their last title in 2014, has emerged the favourite; although the Glamour Boys may not be limiting their options yet.

South Africa-based former DeMbare defender Kaitano Tembo, as well as experienced Premiership coach Rodwell Dhlakama, who is also currently coaching in South Africa at lower-tier side Black Leopards, have been linked with the job.

The vacancy arose this week after the club’s management announced they will not renew Tonderai Ndiraya’s contract, which is set to expire at the end of next month.

Ndiraya is expected to vacate with some members of his backroom staff. Former Dynamos skipper and assistant coach Murape Murape is also linked with a return to his childhood club as assistant to Maruwa.

Sources yesterday told The Herald that negotiations between Dynamos and Maruwa were almost complete. However, Maruwa’s handlers were not forthcoming when approached for a comment. His manager George Deda said they were yet to get offers from Dynamos.

“Of course there have been inquiries for his services and Herbert is free to join any team of his choice. But as of now, we are not aware of the Dynamos deal. If they want his services, we wait for their offer and we will proceed from there,” said Deda.

Maruwa spent the last few months of the 2022 season at Harare City. The coach recently terminated his four-year marriage with army side Black Rhinos.

He had joined Rhinos in 2018 after returning home from Swaziland where he had made his name with that country’s big clubs such as Black Mamba and Mbabane Highlanders.

Maruwa worked under the wings of Pasuwa at Dynamos and he left in 2015 to hone his skills with ZIFA Eastern Region Division One side Hartley, before crossing the borders to Swaziland.

He is a holder of a CAF A Licence he obtained in 2014 when he was still the Dynamos juniors coach.

And now Dynamos are currently looking to revitalize their side after finishing third in the championship race. The Harare giants somehow lost their way in the just-ended campaign despite having started well.

At some point, the Glamour Boys led the platinum miners by 11 points but they finished a distant 17 points behind champions FC Platinum, who raked up 75 points on the road to their fourth consecutive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title.

But Ndiraya still felt his team did well considering they transformed from a side that fought relegation in 2018, and then finishing ninth when the league was last played in 2019, to championship contenders.

He also reasoned their 58 points this season were an upgrade to the tally of 42 and 44 points they had in 2018 and 2019.

However, the club had the final decision. 

DeMbare also confirmed that executive chairman Isaiah Mupfurutsa was leaving his post.

 “Dynamos Football Club would like to reveal that Isaiah Mupfurutsa is leaving his post as chairman with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement.

“Mr Mupfurutsa has served Dynamos with distinction since 2018 when he was appointed chairman. Therefore, Dynamos Football Club would like to thank Mupfurutsa for his tireless dedication to the team. He will always be welcome at Dynamos Football Club because he is a staunch believer in the team.”

Meanwhile, FC Platinum’s Norman Mapeza continued to rule the roost after he was voted the Coach of the Month for October. It was another double celebration for the miners as Walter Musona was also voted Player of the Month. The duo also scooped the awards last month.