Saul Chaminuka dispute costs Dynamos dearly

Dynamos FC have been made to pay dearly for failing to settle what they owe to former coach Saul Chaminuka, it has emerged.

On Wednesday, the Glamour Boys were omitted from the 56-team draw released by CAF after failing to meet FIFA’s financial compliance deadline.

The exclusion stems from an unresolved dispute with Chaminuka, who had a brief and forgettable stint as head coach last season.

Chaminuka, now at TelOne FC, took the club to FIFA over a reported USD $13,000 in unpaid salary arrears and interest. In a last-ditch effort to comply, Dynamos are said to have paid 50% of the outstanding amount a few hours before the cutoff.

However, FIFA is said to have rejected the partial settlement and insisted on full payment to Chaminuka. With the debt unsettled, CAF proceeded to bar Dynamos from this year’s competition.

Beyond missing out on continental football, Dynamos will also forfeit a guaranteed $100,000 preliminary round participation fee from CAF.

The money would have provided much-needed relief to the club’s strained finances. A club insider told Fanzone: “It’s a painful lesson.”

Dynamos players celebrate a goal they had scored in their league match against Triangle United at Rufaro on May 17.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR DYNAMOS FC

The development is a major setback for DeMbare, who were hoping to return to the continental stage. Dynamos won the 2025 Chibuku Super Cup edition, which guaranteed them a place in the CAF Confederation Cup.

This incident also highlights the growing importance of financial governance in Zimbabwean football, where licensing rules are now strictly enforced.

CAF is yet to announce who will replace Dynamos in the draw. Meanwhile, Dynamos have also remained mum about the developments that have been awash in the media.

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