Monday, January 14, 2008

Sweswe' move to Dynamos ahead African Champions League campaign

RELEGATED Mwana Africa have given Zimbabwe international Thomas Sweswe the green light to join Dynamos ahead of the Harare giants' African Champions League campaign, paving the way for the Warriors defender to train with his prospective teammates in the capital.

A cloud of uncertainty has hung over Sweswe's move to Dynamos amid reports that fellow Premiership side Lengthens had also launched a bid for the tough-tackling centreback.


Sweswe's contract with Mwana Africa is due to expire on January 31 and the defender had not started training with Dynamos, reportedly for fear of breaching his agreement with the Bindura miners while DeMbare had also not sealed a deal with either the player or his club.

But yesterday Mwana Africa interim chairman James July revealed that his club had given their blessings to Sweswe and forward Benjamin Marere to move to DeMbare even though negotiations between the two clubs are still taking place.

July said the Mwana Africa leadership understood the significance of representing Zimbabwe in the continental games and would not stand in the way of any of their players who wanted to move to Dynamos or Highlanders.

Bosso will also be flying the country's flag when they take part in the Confederation Cup.

July also insisted that although Sweswe's contract with them was about to expire, they regarded him as their player and both the defender and Marere had indicated that they would return to Mwana Africa should the miners bounce back into the top-flight.

Marere, July also said, still had a contract with Mwana Africa and the former Harare United winger was likely to be released to DeMbare on loan.

Both Sweswe and Marere have been registered by Dynamos for their African Champions League campaign but neither player has trained with Dynamos yet.

Dynamos, who face Swaziland giants Royal Leopards in a preliminary round tie, began their preparations last week.

The Harare giants have also been forced to adjust their Champions League squad after some of the players they had registered have either opted for other clubs or are still to confirm their availability.

There are doubts over the availability of skipper and midfielder Justice Majabvi and his deputy Edward Sadmoba who are still to commit themselves to Dynamos and have not resumed training.

Dynamos will be without Lancashire Steel striker Jacob Muzokomba, who opted to join Highlanders while former Zimbabwe youth international defender Asani Nhongo has also cast doubts over his availability.

But it is the decision to give Sweswe and Marere the nod to complete their moves to Dynamos which should come as a huge relief to the Harare giants who are also battling to make a late registration with the Confederation of African Football for players such ascentreback Danisa Phiri and striker Beavan Chikaka.

July said despite not concluding personal talks with their outgoing players, the nickel and gold miners had no qualms over the duo's imminent departure.

"At the moment we have only read media reports about Thomas but if he wants to go to Dynamos we wish him well in the Caf Champions League.

"Marere has approached us and still wants to be a Mwana player but we have agreed to loan him to Dynamos.

"We believe if a team is playing in the Caf games it is a national cause and there is some patriotism in our decision to let the players go. So even if Thomas signs an extension to his contract with us, we will not be averse to him playing for Dynamos.

"We have an open mind, we will not be unreasonable and we will not stop him from training with Dynamos even though he is our player. He knows the rules as a mature player and I don't see any hiccups because we are aware that Thomas is a quality player and national team material who cannot play in Division One when he has something bigger beckoning.
"So if someone approaches us within the remaining period of his contract we will talk but if the player decides to wait to go as a free agent in February it will be up to him," July said.

The Mwana Africa spokesman also insisted that his club would not collapse despite the departures of such players like striker Tawanda Mareya, utility player Chipo Tsodzo and midfielder Stephen Alimenda, who is understood to be on the Highlanders wish-list.

"We believe . . . if we part we must part ways amicably because who knows one day the player might want to return to the club and as such we will also not stand in any player's way.

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