DYNAMOS coach Lloyd “MaBlanyo” Chigowe has admitted that the new financially sound clubs coming into the top league have outfoxed the so-called big clubs on the transfer market which has also translated into results.
Chigowe said Dynamos wanted the signatures of Khama Billiat, Obriel Chirinda and Walter Musona, but they ended up losing the trio to Yadah, Ngezi Platinum Stars and Simba Bhora, respectively, as the three clubs had better offers for the players.
The Dynamos interim gaffer said this after beating Arenel 2-1 on Sunday at Barbourfields Stadium, where he lamented lack of a killer punch in his side, saying they could have scored up to five goals.
He, however, said it had become increasingly difficult to get the best players who are flocking to clubs with deep pockets.
“We are wasting chances in front of goal. We should have scored at least four or five goals. That also got us out of the Confederations Cup. We got those very same situations,” Chigowe said.
“Our main challenge is conversion. If you are creating chances, I will give you what (Pep) Guardiola did, he brought in (Erling) Haaland. The team was creating chances and just needed a finisher.
“Going forward, we need a finisher par excellence. But in the domestic league, we can no longer compete. We could not get all our targets last year because there are some big boys in town.”
Added Chigowe: “Financially these teams have outmuscled us. We wanted Khama (Billiat), he moved across (to Yadah). We wanted (Obriel) Chirinda, he moved to Ngezi. We wanted Walter Musona, he moved to Simba Bhora. You see now with guys like Scottland coming in . . .”
Clubs that have come into the top league and flexed their muscles in player acquisition include Simba Bhora, Ngezi Platinum Stars, Chicken Inn, Green Fuel, FC Platinum, Manica Diamonds, Herentals and Yadah, with the likes Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United becoming pale shadows of their former selves.
Possible newcomers who have shown their flamboyancy in the Division One league include MWOS and Scottland FC in the Zifa Northern Region league and Wangu Mazodze in the Eastern Region.
Ronald Pfumbidzai, McClive Phiri, Denver Mukamba, Lincoln Zvasiya, Allan Gahadzikwa, Leeroy Mavhunga, goalkeeper Panashe Mavhunga are some of the top players that left the Premier Soccer League to join Scottland in Division One.
Simba Bhora are on their way to win their maiden league championship.
Last year, the league title went to Ngezi Platinum Stars.
FC Platinum won the league four times on the trot from 2017 while Caps United were the last to lift the championship silverware in 2016
Chicken Inn won it in 2015 and before that, Dynamos clinched four consecutive titles from 2011. Highlanders last won the league title in 2006.
Meanwhile, after missing out on the title this year, Dynamos are eyeing another Chibuku Super Cup title.
“We have to make plans for the future based on our squad assessment. But for now, we work with what is on the ground until the end of the season because we still have a chance in the Chibuku Super Cup. It’s not an easy road, but that is the realistic chance we have to get silverware,” Chigowe said.
The Glamour Boys take on Manica Diamonds in the semi-final at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
