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Dennis Dauda

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
REIGNING Soccer Star of the Year Dennis Dauda is expected to join How Mine FC who have suddenly become the country’s moneybags attracting big names during the off-season.Dauda, who failed trials in Turkey a fortnight ago, is leaving the high temperatures of Kariba where he turned out for last season’s Premiership runners-up ZPC Kariba in search for riches at How Mine.

He trained with Gabala FC of Azerbaijan.

Sources close to the player and the club said Dauda, who was reportedly said to have been on Dynamos’ radar, will meet How Mine’s officials and his representatives in Harare today to finalise the deal.

“He seems to have made up his mind and is coming to Bulawayo. He said come and get me if you want and How Mine are coming to Harare to seal the deal.
“The reason why Dauda is leaving ZPC Kariba is because he wants new challenges and believes the ambitions shown by How Mine by bolstering the team ahead of the start of the 2015 season is testimony that they want to be real contenders,” said a source.

Former Warriors midfielder Edzai Kasinauyo who has facilitated deals for a number of players, is said to be managing Dauda’s affairs.

How Mine have hogged the limelight on the transfer market with coach Luke Masomere capturing a number of “big names” in their bid to launch a strong challenge for honours.

Masomere yesterday said he is almost done with the recruitment of players for the season and is expecting to add a defender to his squad by the end of today.

He could not be drawn into confirming his interest in Dauda even though sources were adamant that the championship winning coach with AmaZulu in 2003, had the player in his wish list.

“The squad is almost done and I only want a defender who, if all goes well, will be joining the rest of the guys today or tomorrow.  It’s not true that we’re after Roderick Mutuma and Simba Sithole of Dynamos because we’ve no space for them in the team.

“I can’t tell you the name of the defender because there’re two guys that we’re negotiating with and have to clear issues with their club before we conclude the deal,” Masomere said.

How Mine’s recruitment drive has seen them signing up 2013 Soccer Star of the Year Tawanda Muparati, striker Charles Sibanda and goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya from Highlanders, Caps United captain Tawanda Khumbuyani, ex-Dynamos defensive midfielder Devon Chafa and they recalled Benjamin Marere from FC Platinum.

Already, How Mine are touted as pre-season favourites, a tag that Masomere dismisses.

“We’re just assembling a squad that will improve on our last season’s standings.  I don’t think we’re championship favourites because what we want is just to compete with other teams effectively and take each game as it comes,” Masomere said.