Dynamos consider signing Newton Katanha

By Grace Chingoma

CHAMPIONS Dynamos, desperate for experience in their new-look squad, are on the verge of pulling a major surprise by signing former Warriors striker Newton Katanha ahead of the start of the 2015 Premiership season.

Katanha is one of the players who have been attending the Dynamos trials that started at the National Sports Stadium on Monday morning.

It has since emerged that the former CAPS United player, who has had stints in Germany and Colombia, has charmed Dynamos coach David Mandigora and his lieutenants Tonderai Ndiraya and Gift Muzadzi during the trials.

Although the Dynamos coaches could not publicly reveal which players had caught their eye, sources close to the goings-on at DeMbare indicated that Katanha was headlining a short-list of players the Harare giants are looking to add to their squad.

With doubts now hanging over Dominic Chungwa’s chances of joining from CAPS United after it emerged that DeMbare would have to buy him and with Washington Pakamisa leaving for Mozambique, the champions are so far short on seasoned attacking personnel.

Talks between the Dynamos management and agents for Simba Sithole and Roderick Mutuma (Gibson Mahachi and Edzai Kasinauyo) appear to have also stalled forcing Mandigora and his assistants to look elsewhere for players.

Mahachi and Kasinauyo represent the interests of Tafadzwa Rusike, Russell Madamombe, Oscar Machapa, Devon Chafa, Mutuma and Sithole and curiously none of them has concluded a deal with Dynamos for the coming season.

Apart from Katanha, Dynamos also seem to be keen on engaging ex-Triangle and Harare City striker Misheck Mburayi.

But it is Katanha who will be the focus of attention should he seal a deal to play for Dynamos and given that the club’s chiefs used age as an excuse to offload seasoned players like outgoing skipper Murape Murape, Tawanda Muparati and Thomas Magorimbo.

Katanha, speaking after yesterday’s trial session, could not hide his excitement at the prospects of playing for the Glamour Boys.

The striker, who has cut his dreadlocks and now sports a shaven head said despite a career spanning nearly 15 years which also took him to Austria, Switzerland and Asia, he believes he still has something to offer to the local league.

Katanha said although he had made Dynamos his top priority, he would go on a club hunting mission if the champions do not offer him a deal.

The omens, however, looked good yesterday after he was invited to train with the first team and was one of seven players from the multitude that had been attending trials who were given that privilege.

Mburayi is also on that list which includes Ugandan Igama, Kudzanai Nyakasaka from the club’s juniors and a leftback from the Lowveld, Victor Mudyandarira.

Mandigora said they wanted to have a closer look at the shortlisted players.

“We identified two experienced guys and five young players.

“The programme went on very well but it was unfortunate that the time is limited. Some players take time to really show what they can do.

“But we already have a team in place and just want to add a few more players,” said Mandigora.

Katanha, who had disappeared off the radar after courting controversy related to his actual age, said he had been plying his trade with Phnom Penh Crown Football Club in Cambodia last season.

“I still want to play football. I was playing last year in Asia but felt it was time to return home and felt I should look for a team to play for.

“I trained today and it was okay but trials are difficult as you won’t really understand each other.

“So I was told I should come back again and I will be here tomorrow (today).

“I love football, I don’t see why I cannot play football. I am club hunting and I am trying to market myself. I am back home from Asia and I feel I can still play but to show I am available I had to come for training with teams that have started pre-season,” Katanha said.

Katanha said his main focus was to play Premiership football.

“My ex-club is CAPS United, so I can go and try my luck there but Dynamos have started training and I have begun here and if I fail to make it here I will continue club hunting.

“But I am sure this year I will definitely be playing in the league. Football is not really about age as long as you perform and show quality.

“If a young player is good he can play ahead of older players. That is why in some leagues you will see a 16-year-old player ahead of veterans as it is not about the age but talent,” Katanha said.

Katanha now has the next few days to convince Mandigora and his backroom staff that he could be the missing link in the squad that the returning Dynamos coach is assembling. The Herald