Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DYNAMOS coach Kelvin Kaindu has revealed he added a religious aspect into the Glamour Boys menu to build a survival character, which is now driving the Harare giants’ ship.
Although they are not yet off the hook, DeMbare are a much-changed side from the miserable lot that had become punching bags in the league.
Kaindu, who is a pastor, has set aside Wednesdays for devotion before conducting their training sessions and on the eve of every match-day. His players are loving and committing to every bit of it of the new regime.
That seems to be working with the team transforming themselves since Kaindu stepped on their door, replacing Saul Chaminuka in August.
Although Dynamos are still starring relegation, they have made great strides under Kaindu. Kaindu yesterday confirmed the impact of the spiritual sessions on the players.
“Yeah, we speak, we pray before the game, we have got devotion, I think every Wednesday before we start (training), we’ve got devotion on the day before the game, and also sometimes we come with the word of God that comes also as an inspiration.
“That is just to guide them (the players) in the way that we want them to conduct themselves, and also make them believe, but we have taught them that being prayerful only does not give you results,’’ Kaindu said.
“You have to work hard, because the Bible says faith without action is dead, it’s about the ability also for us to fight and also the ability to believe in ourselves, and this is what everyone has put in.
“And we are glad also in terms of discipline, we don’t have so many issues, even this is the second week, I think we don’t have any player that has been suspended, we’ve got a clean health bill, I think Temptation (Chiwunga) who was injured, resumed training, we’ve got everyone, and this is valuable for our selection.”
Dynamos haven’t lost a match since the arrival of Kaindu across two competitions, reaching the Chibuku Super Cup semis and crawling two places up on the log to 15th after winning four league matches and drawn once in their last five outings. Their latest win, a 1-0 victory in the Harare Derby against CAPS United last Sunday has boosted them as they are the most in-form team in the league right now.
But their wings will need to be firm to continue flying when they meet Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro tomorrow.
Ngezi are six points off the pace with five games still to be played and mathematically, the 2023 champions can clinch the title.
Kaindu acknowledged the size of the fixture saying:
“They (Ngezi Platinum Stars) are a formidable side. They have got quality players. They have mastered their formation that they normally play.
“They know how to use their full backs when they are venturing forward. They’ve got the advantage. They are also strong. They are still also hoping for contention for the championship.
“They are also very strong in the midfield. They can be very combative and also maybe try to play the second ball. But we’ll be playing at home and we are anticipating the fans to come out in numbers and be the 12th player. We will try our level best not to disappoint our fans.
“It was good to see the excitement and the joy from our fans after a long time (in the derby win on Sunday). We will try our level best to be consistent but we don’t want to get carried away.”
He added: “Everyone is ready, coming from winning a derby. We don’t want to get carried away with excitement. I think beating a team like CAPS United doesn’t come that easy.
“Also, looking at the victory that we had over the weekend, where it pushed us a bit on the log standing, probably this is going to be a difficult game for us as it may also affect our position.
“We want to consolidate our position. We also want to build confidence so that before the international break comes, we must be somewhere; a bit more decent than where we have been before.”
The players, said Kaindu, should get much of the credit as they are working hard to ensure Dynamos’ survival bid stays on course.
“Yeah, I think we should give credit to the effort that everyone is putting in. We’re in a very, very difficult position. But with every game that has come, I think it has given us a bit of hope and a bit of confidence.
“We come again this week playing former champions. It’s not going to be an easy game. We’re also trying to avoid relegation. And these are the games that I think will be open,” he said.
