adminAugustine Hwata Sports Reporter
ONE of Masimba Dinyero’s proudest moments as a footballer was when he was crowned Soccer Star of the Year in 1989. Some people, then, felt Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa, the Black Rhinos midfielder, deserved the award.
Dinyero later joined Dynamos and won several trophies with the Glamour Boys while featuring in the same squad with Lloyd Mutasa and Callisto Pasuwa.
Mutasa made the first bold step as a player/coach at Sporting Lions.
The trio worked together, but it was Mutasa who was their boss at various stations.
Pasuwa, at the advice of Moses Chunga, then freed himself and has become one of the most respected coaches after winning three Premiership titles on the trot with Dynamos.
Dinyero’s fallout with Mutasa in April could have come as a blessing in disguise for the former policeman as he found a job at Harare City, who were under Bigboy Mawiwi.
Mawiwi was then booted out in August and Dinyero was thrust into the hot seat.
In his first month, Dinyero was voted the Castle Lager Premiership Coach of the Month.
When he took over, the team was in 14th place but now Harare City have worked their way up and occupy eighth place on the table.
They have sealed their place in their first ever Cup final in the top-flight league.
Dinyero has led Harare City in nine Premiership matches, winning six games and losing twice.
His latest defeat in the league came against FC Platinum.
Harare City have been impressive in the Chibuku Super Cup and their 3-0 victory over Highlanders at Rufaro on Saturday handed Dinyero another clash against FC Platinum.
“FC Platinum are a good side but we should be prepared for them. Personally, I am happy that this could be my first winner’s medal as a head coach.
“I have never coached a team into a Cup final alone,” said Dinyero.
Known as “Dutch” in football circles, Dinyero said he does not hold any grudges, after his controversial exit from FC Platinum.
“Personally, I do not hold any grudges against FC Platinum. I worked there and have since moved on and it’s part of life.
“Now I am focusing on my job at Harare City,” he said.
A sizeable number of drum-beating Harare City fans were at Rufaro to cheer their team as they bullied Highlanders once again.
“The fans have been good to us. I am happy that they keep supporting the team and we feel motivated.
“In this game (against Highlanders) we dictated the game for the greater part. I think we should have scored more goals,” said Dinyero.
Harare City captain David Kutyauripo, who was outstanding for his team, said they owe their decent form to teamwork.
“It’s all about hard work, we push each other so that we achieve the set targets by the end of the season,” said Kutyauripo.
Kutyauripo said their defeat to FC Platinum in the league came because of lapse in concentration by his troops at Rufaro. Harare City will have to shift focus this Sunday to the league when they play Buffaloes at Sakubva.
Online Reporter