SOCCER Star of the year runner-up Frank Makarati has been named the new Dynamos captain ahead of the new season to replace Partson Jaure, who parted ways with the Harare giants when his contract expired at the end of last season.
Makarati was one of the outstanding players on the domestic soccer scene last year and was duly recognised by a special panel which voted him one of the country’s soccer stars for the 2022 season.
That he was the only player from the Glamour Boys to make the cut speaks to his growing stature at the club and it didn’t come as a surprise when it was officially announced yesterday that he has been entrusted with the captaincy duties.
The 28-year-old central defender will be deputised by 23-year-old Emmanuel Jalai, who arrived at the club in 2019, initially on a loan transfer from Aces Youth Academy.
The second vice-captain is the experienced former Warriors defender Kevin Moyo, who recently joined the Harare giants from Bulawayo Chiefs.
Moyo was previously on the books of reigning champions FC Platinum in addition to stints at South African Premiership side Chippa United and Nkana FC in Zambia.
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The announcement of the new leadership structure at Dynamos comes after they wound up their preparations for the new season with a 2-0 win over second-tier club Dulivhadzimu FC in Beitbridge on Sunday.
DeMbare got their goals in either half from Emanuel Paga and 19-year-old Junior Makunike.
Dynamos head coach Hebert Maruwa reckons Sunday’s display was a confidence booster as they wrap up their pre-season preparations which included the four-day camp in Beitbridge ahead of their trip to Hwange.
“It was a good test for us, we know the conditions here are almost similar to those in Hwange. In terms of combinations, we’re ok. I think we’re one of the best squads this year. We need to improve on our movement in the midfield, we need to make sure that we move as quickly as possible, and we need to improve on our transitions from defence to attack,” Maruwa said.
“We didn’t play our normal game (on Sunday), but we managed to get two goals and this is good for us as we round up our preparations towards our first league game against Hwange. I think we’re almost 100% ready for the season opener and I’m happy with the team we have. I think we’ve got a good squad that is ready to compete,” said Maruwa.
Dynamos will kick-off the new campaign with an away trip to Premiership returnees Hwange, followed by a home game against newboys Sheasham.
The Harare giants will then travel to face former coach Tonderai Ndiraya at Simba Bhora in Shamva, before returning home to host Cranborne Bullets ahead of the crunch tie against Highlanders.