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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
GENESIS MANGOMBE has been afforded some breathing space with the Dynamos board yesterday backing the youthful gaffer for what he has done with the club so far this season.
The former Yadah mentor has been under increasing pressure with some sections of the fans calling for his axing after guiding the Glamour Boys to only two wins in eight starts.
Dynamos are 11th on the log with 10 points under their belt, eight behind log leaders Highlanders, who have played a game more than them as DeMbare’s match against Chegutu Pirates was aborted following controversies last week.
And Mangombe ought to have picked a win over struggling champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro on Sunday to buy more time at the hottest seat in the domestic Premiership.
Having surged ahead through Valentine Kadonzvo, Dynamos significantly lost concentration in key phases of the game and were consequently made to play catch-up as they trailed 1-2 at the break but they nonetheless showed some remarkable fighting spirit to force a draw.
With discordant voices within the team’s executive on whether to keep the gaffer at the Harare giants especially given that the current crop faces the ignominy of seeing Dynamos going for 11 years without a title for the first time since their formation, the board has decided to stretch the rope for the gaffer.
Dynamos board chairman who is also the team’s majority shareholder, Benard Marriot-Lusengo, said Mangombe deserved their support.
“So far, we have no complaints or issues about the coach. Look, we have been watching the team’s games and we have seen a lot of positives,” said Marriot-Lusengo.
“Genesis (Mangombe) has introduced an attractive brand of football in the team and it is looking good despite somewhat unfortunate results which we have had to endure.
“I would be honest with you. If you look at it closely, you will find that some decisions which go against you as a team are questionable and if you are not careful you will point fingers at the coach.
“We are not doing that at the moment. We have said, no, let’s give the coach his time and freedom to be in the workshop and see how it all goes.
“We are fully behind him and with how the team is playing, we are very confident that we will be able to start getting very good results going forward.”
Marriot-Lusengo said the board had resolved against giving Mangombe an ultimatum as that gives the coach unnecessary pressure.
“At the moment, we have all agreed that the coach is doing well, and giving him an ultimatum to pick so much points from so many games will be detrimental to development. “If you look at where we are, we are not very far off the leading pack and we cannot start the blame game.
“We have played just eight games and we are eight points behind the leaders Highlanders but then Bosso have played more games than us and we cannot rush to pressure the coach.”
Dynamos face Chicken Inn in their next match at Barbourfields on Saturday and a win will change a lot to the positive in terms of sentiment about Mangombe.
Still, the Glamour Boys are likely to be awarded the maximum points from their suspended game against Chegutu Pirates after the chaos caused by Pirates supporters erupted soon after they had been awarded a goal.
“That is why I am saying if you have a closer look at how things stand, you will conclude that the coach is really doing well and there is no need to panic yet,” said Marriot.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Week 10 fixtures
Saturday 4 May
Bikita Minerals v TelOne (Sakubva)
Ngezi Platinum Stars v Bulawayo Chiefs (Baobab)
Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields)
Herentals College v Yadah (Rufaro)
FC Platinum v GreenFuel (Mandava)
ZPC Kariba v Manica Diamonds (Nyamhunga)
Sunday 5 May
Chegutu Pirates v Simba Bhora (Baobab)
CAPS United v Hwange (Rufaro
Arenel Movers v Highlanders (Barbourfields)
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