daniel chigunwe
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DYNAMOS coach Lloyd Chigowe is a man who does not shy away from challenges.
The 60-year-old coach yesterday said he has embraced the huge task ahead of him after he was confirmed as the head coach ahead of the 2025 season.
The Dynamos executive made the announcement yesterday to end speculation on the future of the lanky coach, who has been holding fort in an acting capacity since his elevation from the position of assistant coach in August last year when the club parted ways with Genesis Mangombe.
Although DeMbare stuttered to an eighth-place finish under his watch, Chigowe appears to have earned the benefit of the doubt from the management following the successful defence of the Chibuku Super Cup, which will enable the team to participate in the CAF Confederation Cup again this year.
The 60-year-old gaffer has since started preparing for the upcoming season. Chigowe told Zimpapers Sports Hub that although he was expecting a tough ride, he was prepared to put in the hard yards to make DeMbare competitive.
“It’s not something that is completely new because I’ve been in charge now for probably more than seven to eight months.
“The challenge at Dynamos is always there; you need to deliver. It’s a tough job, but it has to be done,” he said.
However, Chigowe will need to deal with the familiar pre-season crisis following a player exodus that has claimed more than 10 first-team players.
Dynamos have been dumped by senior players that include captain Frank Makarati, Ghanaian Emmanuel Paga, Namibian forward Sadney Urikhob, Kelvin and Elvis Moyo, Donald Mudadi, Issa Sadiki, Tanaka Shandirwa, Shadreck Nyahwa, and Emmanuel Ziocha.
Congolese striker Eli Ilunga became the latest player to announce his departure yesterday.
“I have always been a broom, and I’m ready to serve this great club with distinction despite the adversity of losing a number of key players,” Chigowe said.
“We are working on re-building a formidable side that can still represent the Club badge and continue the legacy of previous successful Dynamos sides.” Dynamos were left severely weakened by the exodus, but they have since announced two big signings after taking on board Farai Mutatu, who has returned home from the United States, and ex-CAPS United midfielder Leeroy Mavhunga.
Mutatu was previously in the books of United States Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy. DeMbare have also turned to their development side and yesterday announced the promotion of striker Tapiwa “Joza” Masango from the Under-20 side.
According to the DeMbare media, “The 19-year-old can play in any position across the front line and was a scoring sensation for our Development Side in Division Two last season.”
Masango has been training with the first team after demonstrating his potential to make the step up. Before joining DeMbare junior structures, Masango had honed his craft in South Africa, where he played for various academy sides, including Warriors FC, SuperSport United, Randburg FC, and Orlando Pirates.
Chigowe revealed they have so far signed about half a dozen players to replenish their depleted stocks.
“We are meticulously recruiting, looking for suitable talent to meet the demands. We are not yet done, but probably by the end of this week or next week we will be able to assess the reality of the change of our team.
“I think we’ve signed about six to seven players now. We will fight for the badge, and we will give 120 percent effort to make sure that we stay in the middle of the top dogs of Zimbabwean football,” said Chigowe.
Dynamos executive chairperson Moses Maunganidze said the club was fully behind Chigowe and believes he has the capacity to build a strong team that will challenge on three fronts in the upcoming season.
The Glamour Boys will be looking forward to challenging for the 2025 Castle Lager Premiership title as well as defending the Chibuku Super Cup.
In August, the club will also return to the CAF Confederation Cup, where they agonisingly missed out on the group stages last year after losing to continental minnows Orapa United of Botswana in chaotic fashion.
“We don’t doubt the confidence and trust reposed in Lloyd Chigowe will come to fruition. We trust his instincts and capability, and as such, we will fully support him,” Maunganidze said. Chigowe was in charge of 20 games in all competitions as the Glamour Boys finished the season in eighth position in the league race last season and won the Chibuku Super Cup.
During that period, the team won 10, drew five, and lost five to give Chigowe a 50 percent win ratio. But more importantly, the Glamour Boys were able to defend the Chibuku Super Cup title by beating Ngezi Platinum Stars in a thrilling final at Rufaro Stadium.
The club is expected to announce new appointments to beef up Chigowe’s backroom staff.
