Murape on Maringwa champions league snub

By Grace Chingoma

HARARE- With the Caf registration window set to close at midnight today, Dynamos midfielder Murape Murape still believes the club should have registered captain Desmond Maringwa for next year’s Champions League tournament.

Maringwa, a veteran of many battles for the Glamour Boys, was surprisingly not included in the list of 26 players that was submitted by Dynamos to Zifa and was subsequently sent to Caf for next year’s Champions League.

Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa said he took the decision based on the club’s medical team recommendations and would consider the veteran midfielder should the team progress to the mini-league stage of the competition.

However, one of DeMbare’s most loyal sons, Murape, felt the club should have registered Maringwa whose experience is still needed in the team.

“Personally, I feel the club should have registered ‘Gazza’. I was very disappointed, he has been loyal to the club and everyone knows he is prone to injuries but remains a key member of the team.

“Only 18 players are in the team at any given time and he should at least have been registered in the enlarged squad. They should have registered him since 26 players were registered and remain part and parcel of the team.

“He is still needed in the team. It may seem easy but players like him calm nerves when the youngsters are jittery ahead of the Champions League matches. The experience comes in handy for everyone and that alone is really important. The club should rectify that,” said Murape.

The former Soccer Star of the Year said the club let down their captain at a time he needed the team’s support as he battles to recover from injury.

“He needs everyone’s support as he fully recovers. He has done well so far since the operation and is no longer using crutches. To have the club treating you like this at such time when you need all the support from everyone around you is really negative and feels like betrayal,” said Murape.

The veteran midfielder said he and Maringwa have agreed to have another dance with Premiership football next season as they felt that they still have something to contribute to the club’s success.

“Maringwa played a very important role in persuading me to change my mind when I had announced my retirement. He said we still have a part to play and now I am back but he is longer part of the Dynamos Champions League squad.

“It is sad to me because we are like brothers. What affects him also affects me. We agreed to play for the club and guide the other players as we seek to defend our league title and have a fine run in the Champions League after a disappointing one last season,” Murape said.

He also paid tribute to his captain who shared his most loyal player award with him. Maringwa was honoured at the club’s end of year awards and got US$1 000 but the captain shared the award and half the prize money with the midfielder whom he said steered the ship to the league title, inspiring junior players as he was sidelined by a knee injury.

“It is not everyday that you meet people who does that. It really meant a lot to me as it is very rare. He showed his true leadership qualities and unselfishness in his approach to work and everything,” said Murape.

The midfielder added that he is now looking forward to a fresh season with the Glamour Boys and is ready to play his part for the club.