Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GIANTS Dynamos may have extended their unbeaten run in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League to 20 matches stretching back to last season, but a worrying trend has begun to surface in recent outings.
DeMbare, who went 11 matches unbeaten during the latter stages of the 2025 campaign under Kelvin Kaindu, appear to have picked up seamlessly in the new season.
Their transition has been steady under Genesis Mangombe, who returned to the dugout to replace Kaindu.
Mangombe’s re-appointment was initially met with mixed reactions from supporters and stakeholders, given his underwhelming first stint with the club.
However, the coach has gone some way towards reuniting the Glamour Boys’ family with a more purposeful and cohesive approach.
Nine games into the season, the Glamour Boys are yet to taste defeat.
This places them in the top four of the log standings, along with leaders CAPS United, ambitious newboys Hardrock and defending champions Scottland.
However, it appears the old handicap that nearly dragged them into relegation trouble last season is coming back to haunt them. The signs were evident on Sunday when DeMbare disappointed their home fans after failing to break down a stubborn ZPC Kariba side in a goalless draw.
That stalemate followed another score-less encounter against Scottland in midweek, meaning Dynamos have gone 180 minutes without finding the back of the net.
“You know, every game is different, and every game is not easy. It’s very difficult,” said Mangombe.
“We are taking Dynamos from where we left last season, and we are building something which we think is going to work at the end of the season.
“We are doing our best, and at this time around, we need just to improve in terms of our conversion rate, and also maybe better the place on the log table.
“But the way we are playing is far much better as compared to what was happening last season. So, we just have to say we are doing a great job in terms of keeping the team in the top five, in the top six, and also nine games unbeaten. It’s not a joke.
“This league is not easy. I think we are going to work extra hard so that we will get goals,” said Mangombe.
Striker Jairos Kasondo remains Dynamos’ leading scorer with four goals, but the forward has failed to find the target in the club’s last three matches.
Against ZPC Kariba, DeMbare looked blunt and short of ideas, failing to break down an ultra-defensive opponent that relied heavily on deep blocks and delaying tactics. Creativity was virtually absent as Dynamos struggled to impose themselves in the final third.
Of late, most of Dynamos’ goals have come from the penalty spot.
Kasondo converted penalties to rescue a 1-1 draw away at AGAMA and secure a narrow 1-0 win over MWOS. He missed another penalty at Simba Bhora, though Dynamos still emerged victorious courtesy of a stunning strike from Ghanaian import Frank Agyemang.
DeMbare also needed a penalty from Abel Gwatidzo to salvage a point against FC Platinum at home, before the consecutive goalless draws against Scottland and ZPC Kariba. Mangombe, however, prefers to highlight the positives rather than dwell on the short-comings.
“You get a penalty when you are playing,” he said.
“So, the way we are playing, it means we can create a lot of penalties. If we were lucky (on Sunday), maybe we were supposed to be awarded another penalty.
“I thought the way you enter into the opponent’s box, the more you create havoc to the opponents, you get those penalties. So, I just appreciate any goal, whichever way it comes, I will appreciate it.”
Dynamos now shift focus to a tricky away assignment at Barbourfields on Sunday, where they face Chicken Inn, a side also known for its disciplined and robust defensive organisation. Their creativity will again be put to test.
