Dembare boards calls an emergency meeting

SWEEPING executive and technical team changes are expected at Harare giants Dynamos with the board calling for an emergency meeting in the capital this afternoon to map the way forward.

Some of those changes could be as early as this afternoon with the rest being announced before the end of the week.

Changes in the board are also expected with acting chairman, legendary footballer Freddy Mkwesha, likely to be confirmed or re-assigned. He has been acting since the death of Richard Chiminya.

Sources close to the reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions revealed that there had been bad blood between the executive, led by Harare businessman Kenny Mubaiwa, and the Callisto Pasuwa-led technical team. Team manager Richard Chihoro is also likely to be replaced by long serving skipper Murape Murape, said sources.

There have been concerted efforts by former players to have the three-time championship winning coach fired, a move allegedly supported by chairman Mubaiwa but some influential board members have been blocking those attempts, arguing that there was no basis for parting ways with their coach.

According to Dynamos insiders, a clique allegedly backed by board member Simon Sachiti and fronted by chairman Mubaiwa has been pushing for the ouster of Pasuwa, while the Bernard Marriot Lusengo camp is said to be the stumbling block as the latter is supporting Pasuwa.

The Sachiti-Mubaiwa camp, which is pushing for the ouster of Pasuwa, has been angling to have vice chairman David Mandigora as coach assisted by Tonderai Ndiraya.

Others believed to be eyeing the job include Stanley Chirambadare, Elvis Chiweshe, Henry Chari, Misheck Chidzambwa and Simon Chuma.

It's those pro-Pasuwa board members who are almost certain to find themselves holding largely ceremonial positions in the new set-up, a situation that is giving the anti-Pasuwa camp a huge advantage.

"The board has called a meeting tomorrow which will see wholesome changes to the team and even the board," said a usually reliable source within Dynamos.

Board of directors secretary Chris Kasiyazi, while confirming today's meeting, denied that there would be changes.

"We have called a meeting tomorrow as a follow up to our last Friday meeting. We had issues which were on the agenda last Friday but could not be discussed so we are winding up on them so it's really on strategic items especially looking at how Dynamos ought to be run this season," he said.

Pressed further on those strategic issues which were not discussed last Friday, Kasiyazi said:

"We will discuss how Dynamos ought to be run, it's the beginning of the season remember and we need to set the road straight. As for the restructuring of the board we might be announcing something before the end of the week as you know we lost our board chairman Richard Chiminya and Mkwesha has been acting. For the other announcement, get in touch with me tomorrow".

Meanwhile, Dynamos players were last night expected to present an anti-Chihoro petition to the board, which would then discuss the issue in today's meeting. Chihoro is accused of siding with the executive following a player revolt that rocked the Glamour Boys' camp recently.

He is almost certain to be replaced by the club talisman Murape.

Key points:
    Executive and technical changes expected
    Murape Murape expected to be named new team manager
    New board chairman to be announced before end of week