By Augustine Hwata and Takudzwa Chitsiga
HARARE – Champions Dynamos have suspended skipper Murape Murape and striker Roderick Mutuma following a training ground bust-up in which the duo exchanged blows allegedly over the bonuses row that led to a strike at the club last week.
Murape and Mutuma were suspended until September 4 when the club is expected to convene a disciplinary hearing to resolve the case.
In confirming the suspensions, Dynamos chairman Kenny Mubaiwa said his executive had decided to take the action to stop the problems at the club from degenerating further.
Mubaiwa said they were “acting to protect the image of the club’’.
The two players were served with suspension letters which barred them from any club activities until they have cleared themselves before a disciplinary committee on September 4.
“We have not passed any verdict on the players, but we suspended them from all our activities.
“They will be required to come for a hearing at the club’s offices on September 4, 2014,” said Mubaiwa.
Allegations against Murape and Mutuma are that they traded blows in the presence of club secretary-general Webster Chikengezha who had gone to address the players over their outstanding bonuses.
It is alleged that Mutuma wanted the players to take the US$40 per person that was being offered by the club for the 18 players who were selected for the match against CAPS United while veteran skipper Murape insisted that all the players including those on the injury list should be paid what they were owed.
It was Mutuma’s second fistfight inside three days.
On Sunday the gangly striker was involved in an ugly altercation with Rhinos defender Obey Gada, during the Chibuku Super Cup, which saw the two players exchanging blows before being sent off. The incident yesterday drew the ire of Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri.
But with their suspensions taking immediate effect, Murape and Mutuma will miss Dynamos Premiership clash against Hwange at Rufaro this afternoon.
They will also miss the Harare giants’ trip to Gibbo where they face Triangle at the weekend.
However, team manager Richard Chihoro said the negative publicity in their camp should work as a catalyst to drive them towards a positive result.
“We are looking at nothing short of three points as we are playing at home, so we cannot afford to drop points.
“We have talked to the players as the technical department that we cannot see ourselves losing after the bad publicity we have received and this is a game in which we have to show character as the defending champions.
“We are facing Hwange for the three points and we are not just going there to fulfil the fixture, but it is a grudge match, which we need to win at all costs,” Chihoro said.
Dynamos will also be seeking to atone for the defeat at the Colliery in the reverse fixture on June 15 via a solitary Eric Chipeta strike.
“The last time we played in Hwange, we lost but through a dubious penalty so we want to revenge. This is going to be a grudge match because Hwange scored a goal which we are not happy with up to today,” Chihoro said.
Chihoro said Hwange are a tricky team and need to be treated with caution especially with Rodwell Chinyengetere back in the fold.
“I think they will be trying to continue from where they left off in the first round and employ the same tactics and tricks they used to overcome us. We are prepared for the game because we picked up a few lessons from the last encounter,” Chihoro said.
Dynamos were yesterday also sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi, who has acquitted himself since taking over the number one spot following George Chigova’s departure for South Africa.
Assistant coach Philemon Mutyakureva looks set to take charge in the absence of his boss Callisto Pasuwa, who like most of the top local coaches, is attending a CAF A Licence course at the Zifa Village.
Hwange, on the other hand, believe they have what it takes to beat Dynamos with midfielder Isaac Masame taunting DeMbare as a very ordinary side.
“We have come to collect maximum points since we are coming from a defeat we need a win by any means. We are a solid team which has several experienced players who can play at any level, so we will win the match,” Masame said.
Masame said Hwange need to bounce back from their defeat inflicted on them at the colliery by Triangle in the Chibuku Super Cup on Sunday.
In the other league clash today, Highlanders host Triangle at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds. Bosso’ usual home Barbourfields has been closed for renovations ahead of the African Union Zone Six Games in December.
Today’s tie is intriguing in the sense that Pasca Manhanga faces the side that loaned him to Bosso just last month. The Herald
