Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT had to take the real threat of Castle Lager Premier Soccer League demotion to jolt the Dynamos leadership into some action to deal with the crisis haunting the ailing giants.
And yesterday Dynamos increased their players’ winning bonuses by more than 300 percent to attain maximum personnel effort as they bid to protect their Premiership status.
DeMbare are increasingly under relegation threat, lying deep down the top-flight rungs with just 16 points after 23 games.
With only 11 games remaining, the Glamour Boys have an eight-point deficit to attain a position of at least for now.
They have appointed former Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu to complete what will be an historic rescue mission by the Zambian gaffer, who comes in to replace the suspended Saul Chaminuka.
In what has been a chaotic season for DeMbare, Kaindu, who begins his reign against MWOS at Rufaro tomorrow, is the third figure to lead the country’s biggest team after Lloyd “Ma Blanyo” Chigowe opened the early phases of the marathon but was fired after managing just one win.
DeMbare chiefs, however, know the Glamour Boys need more than just staff rotation to pull off the cliff.
Through their financial partners, DeMbare have worked out various incentive models, including multiplying winning bonuses to try and motivate the players.
The situation that Dynamos find themselves in is so delicate and if they fail to arrest the free-fall, they will soon see their destiny outside their own control.
And part of the package they have been handed over by their partners will go towards the hiring of psychologists, who have already started working on the players’ mental aspect.
Club executive chairman Moses Maunganidze said his management is fully aware of the awkward space they are in.
“We should admit that times are hard for us in the field of play. Sometimes things work but sometimes they don’t.
“It’s been the latter for us for the past 23 games. We have changed coaches and still the positive results never came,” said Maunganidze.
“It’s been a rocky phase. But let me be clear. There has never been a month that the players were not paid as some people want to peddle.
“It’s very unfortunate but this is the situation we have now. Our sponsors, Sakunda Holdings have been handy as always.
“We have 11 games to do the right thing and save ourselves from falling into the pit.
“So, we have a partner that has come on board and sponsored financial resources to help us survive. We have increased the players’ winning bonuses starting this week.
“The players know this already and they are excited. They want to deliver and save the team,” Maunganidze said.
He added: “We have also sought to invest in the players’ mentality. We have hired a team of psychologists to help the team.
“They started working with the players last week and the attitude is now better. We will move along with the team of those psychologists until the end of the season.”
While Maunganidze refused to go public about the figures involved especially in light of the winning bonuses, Zimpapers Sports Hub has gathered that: “The winning bonuses have been stretched to between US$350-US$400 until the end of the season.
“There is a partner who has come along to help the team survive relegation.
“There will be matches where the players will get more than the stipulated figures.
“The club has to survive at all costs and the secret is on player motivation levels.”
Kaindu is a brave man for taking chances at a time like this at Dynamos.
But being a Pastor, the Zambian gaffer could be the man of faith the Glamour Boys need to navigate the tricky curves characterising the rocky road ahead.
Dynamos are today expecting to secure Kaindu’s work permit with the coach set to officially begin his tenure when they host MWOS in a high-stakes match at Rufaro tomorrow.
Despite agreeing to take up the challenge last weekend, Kaindu, who will be assisted by ex-Yadah Stars coach Thomas Ruzive, could not train the team this week as his paperwork was not yet complete.
However, club spokesperson David Chikomo indicated that the Department of Immigration was almost done with their application for the work permit.
“What is almost certain is that Kaindu will start his tenure this weekend. We have been sorting out his work permit which should be ready by tomorrow (today), at least according to the communication we got from the Immigration office.
“So, we are keeping our fingers crossed,” said Chikomo.
Ruzive attended the team’s training yesterday to familiarise with the players and the rest of the technical team.
Dynamos have retained assistant coach Takesure Chinyama, who is the strikers’ development trainer.
“Ruzive is coming in as assistant coach,” said Chikomo.
“Otherwise, the rest of the technical team remains as it was. The team hasn’t been doing well, which necessitated some of these changes.
“Going forward, the objective obviously is to lift the team from where it is at the moment and finish the campaign on a better position.
“The team needs the fans and this is the time that we should all come together and rally for the good of the team. It is possible in the remaining 11 games to rise and avoid relegation,” said Chikomo.
Kaindu will inherit a side miserably short on quality and low in confidence.
Their woes have reflected on the field of play where they have managed just two wins and scored only six times in 23 games.
They have not scored a goal in the last seven games and they have the worst strike force in the league at the moment.
DeMbare yesterday also confirmed the return of midfielder Denver Mukamba among their six mid-season signings.
They also signed 24-year-old Ghanaian midfielder Felix Kwaku Hammond and his compatriot Mohammed Issaka (30), who plays as a central defender.
The trio joins earlier mid-season signings Wisdom Mutasa and Denis Nhongo who have since made appearances for DeMbare.
Dynamos also added Zambian goalkeeper Sitali Nyambe on their books.
Fixtures:
Tomorrow: TelOne v Manica Diamonds (Ascot), Simba Bhora v Chicken Inn (Wadzanayi), Dynamos v MWOS (Rufaro), ZPC Kariba v GreenFuel (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Scottland (Mandava), Yadah v Triangle (Heart Stadium).
Sunday: Herentals v Kwekwe Utd (Rufaro), Bikita Minerals v CAPS United (Gibbo), Highlanders v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Barbourfields).
Best wishes. They are good acquisitions. However, for a team looking for goals! Zviriko futi!