Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DYNAMOS are already struggling to keep their heads above water and the suspension of coach Saul Chaminuka by the Premier Soccer League has cast a shadow over their survival hopes.
Chaminuka, who took the Dynamos coaching baton from Lloyd Chigowe two months ago was yesterday suspended for two games starting with today’s crucial Match-day 22 tie against Manica Diamonds at Rufaro, for his role in the abandonment of their match against FC Platinum.
The veteran gaffer was implicated for calling his players off the pitch when protesting a controversially awarded penalty to FC Platinum when the scores were level at 1-1 at Mandava with just over 10 minutes to play on June 22.
And, as expected, the PSL Disciplinary Committee found Dynamos and Chaminuka guilty, fining them US$5 000 and US$4 000 respectively for their roles in the premature end to that game.
In addition, the match was awarded to FC Platinum on a 3-0 scoreline while Chaminuka will now miss the game against Manica Diamonds today and the trip to Chicken Inn on Sunday.
In announcing the Dynamos punishment, PSL said, “Dynamos FC were found guilty of causing the abandonment of their match against FC Platinum played at Mandava Stadium on 22 June 2025.
“Consequently, the club has been fined a sum of US$5 000 and the match was awarded to FC Platinum on a 3-0 scoreline.
“Furthermore, Dynamos FC Head Coach, Saul Chaminuka was also held responsible for his conduct during the match. He has been fined US$4000 and banned from occupying the technical bench for the club’s next two matches.
“The PSL reminds all clubs, players and officials of their obligation to uphold the league’s rules and regulations. Any actions that disrupt fixtures, undermine the integrity of the competition or bring the game into disrepute will not be tolerated.”
The next 180 minutes will be key in shaping Dynamos’ road to survival as the two opponents they are facing within the next four days are not far off the Glamour Boys on the log.
Chaminuka’s understudy, Philemon Mutyakureva will likely take charge of today’s game and depending on its outcome, he will lead the team against Chicken Inn as well.
That means Dynamos are now in a tight corner as Chaminuka will now have to wait a little before overseeing his survival plan from the dugout.
On Tuesday, he told Zimpapers Sport that the Glamour Boys need unconditional love and encouragement more than anything else from their fans given where they stand.
The Glamour Boys are enduring a nightmarish season sitting just a single place off the bottom with only 15 points in 21 games.
Now, more than ever before, DeMbare are facing the grim prospect of being relegated from the top-tier league, which they have ruled, in its various facets, with remarkable authority since 1963.
They have been terrible this year, winning only two games, with the situation not helped by restless fans, some of whom have been quick to point at the team’s administrative shortcomings.
But Chaminuka sees things the other way round.
Rather than spending too much energy finger-pointing club bosses, Chaminuka urged the Glamour Boys fans to “invest more energy in supporting the team’s cause.
“This is a situation we find ourselves in as a club.
“We are trying our level best to muddle through the rough road.
“And we need that love and that loyalty from the fans. This is the time we need everyone’s support rather than seeing them saying the executive this and the board did that.
“It’s my passionate plea to them to really come back to the team and back the club up. That’s what we need, that spirit.”
But for now, Chaminuka would have to watch from the terraces as Dynamos sought to get what has been a rare win at Rufaro this year.
Abandonment of games and incessant complaints against match officials is an indictment to the PSL. The last few seasons have witnessed abhorrent administration of football by the PSL. Rather than punish teams that find themselves victims of poor management of football in the country, the PSL must look at its own shortcomings. Everyone who follows football knows that corruption reigns on the field of play. So far this season it is not coincidental that a lot of goals have been scored either in dying minutes of games or in referees added time and penalties awarded at the end of games. And when so many games raise complaints, the integrity of football suffers. Teams must win on the field of play and not in boardrooms. This is one of the reasons why our teams that go on to participate in continental tournaments fare so badly. They are given goals on the table by some individuals instead of scoring them as expected in football.