Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER a tumultuous fortnight of searching, Harare Premier Soccer League giants Dynamos last night moved to end the anxieties shrouding their pre-season training programme after they agreed to re-engage former coach Genesis Mangombe on a two-year performance-based contract.
The return of Mangombe ended the growing speculation as Dynamos tried without success to prize club legend and decorated coach Kalisto Pasuwa from his current job at the Football Association of Malawi.
Pasuwa is the Flames coach with his deal with FAM initially running up to January next year.
But without enough financial muscle to prize their initial target, it was always going to be a difficult ask for Dynamos to bring Pasuwa back home.
And the door was effectively shut in DeMbare’s face this week when FAM made it clear they were not ready to lose their coach, whom they are expecting to soon start preparations for the Flames’ international assignments.
Dynamos’ new executive led by Vincent Chawonza had also launched an audacious bid, albeit without success to lure Liverpool and Zimbabwe legend Bruce Grobbelaar from his base in England.
It also emerged that apart from Mangombe, Pasuwa and Grobbelaar they had also sounded out and shortlisted the ex-Warriors pair of Max Makanza Lunga and Moses Chunga, much-travelled gaffer Luke Masomere, former Zambia coach Wedson Nyirenda and European — Mamocilo Medic from Serbia.
But after the marathon negotiations and various other considerations, they eventually settled for Mangombe.
Dynamos chief executive Batson Nkoma confirmed last night that the club’s leadership had settled for Mangombe, who last season helped Triangle launch a great escape from relegation after the Lowveld outfit had endured a poor start to 2025 under Masomere.
“What actually happened is that all short-listed candidates were contacted and evaluated based on their availability and perks,” said Nkoma.
“The Executive settled on Mangombe, and the board chair, executive chair, and vice-chair tasked me as the CEO to contact Mangombe for negotiations.
“We then successfully concluded negotiations this evening (yesterday), and Kaka emerged the preferred candidate then signed the contract and has been appointed as the new Head Coach of Dynamos FC effectively immediately.”
The Dynamos’ hot seat fell vacant following the departure of Kelvin Kaindu at the expiry of the Zambian coach’s short-term contract on December 31. Kaindu has since been unveiled by ambitious newboys Hardrock FC.
There have been fears in the DeMbare family that the delays in the appointment of the coach could plunge the pre-season training schedule into a tailspin.
A fewer number of the teams in the league started their pre-season formalities this week, with the majority expected to get their training into motion next week.
The Zimpapers Sports Hub understands that Mangombe was given a two-year performance-based contract.
“Big news! Genesis Mangombe is back! We’re pleased to announce his re-engagement as Head Coach of Dynamos FC, effective immediately. Welcome back, Genesis!” said Dynamos in a brief social media statement.
He is expected to present his pre-season programme to the club’s management and immediately get down to business ahead of the 2026 season.
Dynamos are set to kick-start their season on February 28 when they face the league’s kings Scottland in the season-opening Castle Challenge Cup.
While the DeMbare executive is confident of Mangombe’s clout as a football coach, the appointment has been met with mixed reactions from the Dynamos supporters.
Mangombe won DeMbare’s first Chibuku Super Cup title in 2023 but then left the club mid-season in 2024 after a slow start to the campaign. They reached a mutual separation after the Glamour Boys felt he needed to have done more after attaining six wins, 12 draws and four defeats, leaving the team on position seven with 30 points.
He then had stints with Scottland in their fight for promotion from the Northern Region Soccer League, before moving to Tanzania for a brief stint with Tabora.
Mangombe returned home to take over the mantle at Triangle.
With Dynamos set for a return to the CAF Confederation Cup after missing out last year, Mangombe is expected to bolster the squad ahead of the start of the 2026 season.
He arrives at a club that has already lost Ghanaian defender Issaka Mahommad, midfielder Vusa Ngwenya and goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa.
They, however, have been tracking experienced players who include former midfielder Tichaona Chipunza, Michael Tapera, Walter Musona and veterans — Perfect Chikwende, Kelvin Shangiwa and Khama Billiat.
Dynamos are also looking to tie down key players like Shadreck Nyahwa, Temptation Chiwunga, Felix Hammond and captain Emmanuel Jalai, whose contracts ended on December 31.
Jalai is being scouted by clubs from North Africa and has committed to return to DeMbare if a move fails to materialise.
After facing Scottland in the Castle Challenge Cup, Mangombe and his men will shift to the start of the league marathon.
