DeMbare inches away

closer to their first back-to-back championship success story in 17 years.
Not since Sunday Chidzambwa’s Class of ’94 and ’95, led by legendary skipper Memory Mucherahowa, ruled the roost in both years have the Glamour Boys successfully defended their league championship crown.
Now Callisto Pasuwa, until now under-rated by many as a green-horn who could not be trusted to lead such a big team, stands on the threshold of a unique achievement of joining his old coach in this exclusive club of greatness.
Last year, when Pasuwa provided the claming influence and finishing touch, after DeMbare’s ship had plunged into stormy waters, clawing their way back from distance, some of his critics said he owed his success to the foundation laid by Lloyd Mutasa.
Now, with just two games to go before the season closes, his team is on the verge of becoming the first group of Glamour Boys to win back-to-back league titles in 17 years.
Only three other groups of Glamour Boys have done that in the team’s 49-year history with Chidzambwa, then a player, and his crew doing it at Independence and going on to win four straight league titles between 1980 and 1983.
Moses Chunga and his teammates were the next group when they won the league title in 1985 and 1986 before Mucherahowa, with a helping hand from the likes of Tauya “Flying Doctor” Murewa and Vitalis “Digital” Takawira, did it in ‘94/’95.
Interestingly, in the ‘60s and ‘70s, DeMbare never won back-to-back league titles.
If they hold their nerve and win this one, the Glamour Boys will make it 19 league titles and their fans will be forgiven if, within their range of bragging rights, they will tell you they are now in an exclusive club that features the likes of Manchester United.
Effectively Dynamos now need four points from the six at stake against Buffaloes (Rufaro) and Hardbody (Ascot) to win the league and that is assuming Highlanders win their last two league matches against FC Platinum (Barbourfields) and Blue Rangers (Gwanzura).
Yesterday, DeMbare were tested to the limit by a Monomotapa side that has perfected the art of doing well against the league’s giants and, famously, blew the league race wide open with a 3-0 win over Bosso, the Bulawayo giants’ only league loss so far this season.
Some tactical switches by Pasuwa and an improved second period performance were at the heart of this victory and the way the Glamour Boys battled their way back, against a very good opponent, sent their fans into delirium.
If ever there was any doubt about DeMbare’s championship credentials, yesterday’s come-from-behind performance ended that.
It was a match that was tough for everyone, from the players on the pitch to the bumper crowd on the terraces, but on a day DeMbare needed a hero, the forgotten Prince returned with a bang.
Rodrick Mutuma, remember him, the gunslinger who won the Golden Boot last year before disappearing in the razzmatazz that followed that?
He wears a vest, under his jersey, which has the inscription  “The Prince Is Back” splashed across its front part.
Well, until he struck the priceless winner with just 15 minutes left in this match, even his most loyal fans would have found it difficult to back the argument that, indeed, Mutuma has been back.
But this revival of the Glamour Boys was not a one-man show and not confined to the introduction of the self-styled Prince.
Pasuwa’s decision to switch right back Thomas Magorimbo to defensive midfield while Timire Mamvura moved back into the full-back position and the introduction of man-of-all-occasions, Murape Murape for the subdued Cliff Sekete, changed this game on its head.
Monomotapa had surged ahead in the 43rd minute when former Dynamos striker Tawanda Nyamandwe struck after receiving a fine cross from the left.
The big forward, who also scored in the reverse fixture, seems to be reserving his best for his old paymasters.
And with Monomotapa on song, displaying some breathtaking football plucked from the very top drawer, a weary Dynamos were no match and pressure built in the stands.
That news was filtering through, in this era of social media, that Bosso were leading 2-0 at Ascot, worsened the situation.
But Pasuwa rallied his troops with an inspirational dressing room address at half-time and 10 minutes after the break Simba Sithole drove home the equaliser to send Rufaro into frenzy.
Where Pasuwa had needed Cuthbert Malajila to score crucial goals last season, now he has Sithole and this was his fourth league goal since joining Dynamos.
Pasuwa yesterday and said it was not yet time to pop the champagne.
“It is still game on and we have to concentrate so that we collect maximum points,” said the gaffer.
“In football you never know, you may lose all the two matches.
“Most of the guys were not pressing in the first half and we had to change as there was no communication and I put Thomas in the defensive midfield position because he is better at communicating.
“He swapped positions with Timire.
“In midfield, most of the guys were going into space, they were coming out of pressing zones and in football you need to make the right assessment and we made some changes and it helped us.”
Monomotapa assistant coach, Nkululeko Dhlamini, said they started well but their opponents upped their tempo in the second half and were also aided by their fans who created a carnival atmosphere once the Harare giants had equalised.
“First half we had much possession, played the ball around but in the second half Dynamos were more determined and were now playing the ball and changed Magorimbo from defence to midfield.
“We did fairly well, we have youngsters and one of the senior players who is good, Tawanda, is still coming from an injury. The Dynamos supporters also played a part in this match and it helped them,” said Dhlamini.
Once their crowd senses blood, especially towards the end of the season, it’s hard to stop Dynamos and yesterday the Glamour Boys won as a team, with the players, their coach and their supporters all playing a big part.
Football is a crazy game but it’s hard to see them blowing this one because this was their biggest test and when you consider they have just conceded 14 goals and have never been awarded a penalty, all season, you get to appreciate this group of Glamour Boys better.
No wonder they stand on the threshold of greatness.

Teams
Monomotapa: A. Mukandi, M. Nelson, M. Mungombe, J. Tigere, O. Mwerahari, T. Ngulube(B. Mapfumo 86th minute), H. Mugoniwa, R. Chitiyo, R. Madamombe, K. Musharu(O. Mukuradare 66th minute), T. Nyamandwe(M. Kawashu 73rd minute).
Dynamos: G. Chigova, O. Mushure, G. Bello, P. Jaure, T. Magorimbo, T. Mamvura, D. Mukamba, T. Mparati, C. Sekete(C. Sekete 67th minute), F. Mupasiri(R. Mutuma 52nd minute), S. Sithole.