Online Reporter
Onward Gangata
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DYNAMOS reminded everyone on Sunday why they remain a big part of the narrative of the Castle Lager Premiership with a stunning recovery just days after one of their worst humiliations.
Just a week after a humiliating 5-0 defeat to champions Scottland, the Harare giants dug themselves out of trouble at Ascot, coming from behind to beat TelOne 2-1 in a rescheduled match.
TelOne had struck first and for a while the old doubts crept back.
But the Glamour Boys did not fold.
Frank Agyemang hauled them level with a firm header that finally broke TelOne’s resistance, before Jairos Kasondo provided the moment that settled the afternoon, lifting a clever chip beyond the advancing goalkeeper to complete the turnaround.
For coach Genesis Mangombe, the victory was less about style and more about character.
“There are more players to choose from now and that gives us depth,” he said.
“We have competition for places and that is important for the team. It pushes everyone to work harder.”
The Dynamos coach had shuffled his side following the Challenge Cup defeat, handing starting roles to new defensive arrivals Isaac Landu and Christopher Nettey while experienced forward Stanley Billiat also featured.
Conditions were far from ideal.
Heavy rains throughout the week had already forced the match to be postponed on Saturday and the surface at Ascot remained awkward when the teams finally took to the pitch yesterday morning.
Even so Dynamos found enough composure to grind out the win.
Billiat’s movement kept TelOne’s defence uneasy throughout the afternoon, while Nettey delivered a composed performance at the back that suggested the Ghanaian could grow into the leadership role left by former captain Emmanuel Jalai. Mangombe believes there is still plenty of work ahead.
“There is still a lot we need to improve,” he said.
“We want to see how the team performs on a normal pitch and we must improve our transitions going forward.”
Elsewhere the opening weekend also offered a reminder of the challenge awaiting the rest of the league.
Defending champions Scottland began their title defence with a goalless draw against Premiership newcomers Hardrock at the newly-opened Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe.
Norman Mapeza’s side created the clearer chances and at times stretched the hosts with the movement of Moses Shidolo, Knowledge Musona and Panashe Mutimbanyoka, but the finishing touch deserted them.
Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu, whose starting eleven included ten new signings, was satisfied with the point against the reigning champions.
“They are the defending champions and they are coming from a big win over Dynamos,” he said.
“So for us a point is not a bad result.”
Mapeza felt his side did enough to win the match.
“Look at the chances we created,” he said.
“We worked very well and I am happy with the boys. We just need to keep pushing.”
The season is still young and the picture will shift many times in the weeks ahead.
For Dynamos though, this result mattered.
After a bruising week and a storm of criticism, the Glamour Boys walked off the Ascot pitch with something they badly needed.
