Former Dynamos captain and assistant coach Murape Murape has criticised the current state of affairs at the Harare-based football club, placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of club chairman Bernard Marriot.
In a message of solidarity with what he called “genuine and real Dynamos supporters”, Murape distanced his comments from personal bitterness, asserting that his motivation stems from a deep and enduring love for the club. Said Murape:
I am not bitter about no longer working at the club, I have a good job that takes care of my family. Instead, I am bitter about the way the team has been run down by the club’s leadership. My love and passion for Dynamos are genuine and that’s why I am speaking out.
The former skipper, who spent over a decade at the club, lamented what he described as years of mismanagement under Marriot’s stewardship.
He revealed that many former players, including himself, are still owed large sums of money, which they have chosen not to claim out of respect for the institution. He said:
Serving Dynamos came with sacrifices and some of us are now living with disabilities because of it and we are still owed a lot of money which we have not demanded back out of respect for the club.
Murape accused Marriot of sidelining and mistreating ex-players, warning that this toxic environment has stifled progress and driven away those with the club’s best interests at heart. Said Murape:
During my time at the club, I often expressed concerns about his leadership style, warning him that appointing the wrong people for the wrong reasons would lead the team to oblivion. However, instead of listening, I was framed and pushed out for highlighting issues that needed fixing.
In an especially emotional moment, Murape referenced the treatment of the late Richard Chihoro, a long-serving Dynamos official and close ally of Marriot. He said:
The way he mis-treated Richard Chihoro (MHDSRIP), his closest ally for over 40 years, speaks volumes about his character.
Calling for transparency and meaningful reform, Murape urged fellow stakeholders not to be pacified by “empty promises”, but to continue demanding accountability. He said:
At the end of the day, we just want to see our former team evolving, growing, and thriving, not stuck in stagnation. Dynamos is more than just a team to me, it’s my family and I will always want the best for it.
Murape’s statement is the latest in a growing chorus of concern from former players and supporters who believe the club is at a crossroads — and that change is not just necessary, but urgent.
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