Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GENESIS “KAKA” MANGOMBE has backed his successor at Dynamos, Lloyd “Ma Blanyo” Chigowe, to bounce back stronger after the veteran coach was earlier this week sacked by the ailing Castle Lager Premier Soccer League giants.
A return of just one win in 11 matches and two goals by the side in the same period under review saw Chigowe pay the ultimate price that coaches across the world have to deal with — the sack.
Chigowe had increasingly come under intense pressure as Dynamos, now languishing in the relegation zone, failed to produce the results.
Despite DeMbare being mired in a host of problems, especially poor funding, Chigowe was sacrificed, with another seasoned coach, Saul Chaminuka, being hired as a replacement.
The man whom Chigowe succeeded at Dynamos after he had also struggled for results — Mangombe yesterday leapt into his colleague’s defence and argued that the former Zimbabwe Under-17 coach deserved respect for the work he had done at the Glamour Boys, albeit in very difficult circumstances.
Mangombe is now in charge of Triangle United, where he replaced the sacked Luke Masomere, who was the first coaching casualty of the 2025 season.
He had led Dynamos to their first Chibuku Super Cup title in 2023 before he was shown the door, with Chigowe going on to successfully defend the title the following year.
Ironically, Mangombe planted the final dagger on Chigowe when his Triangle handed Dynamos a 2-0 defeat at Gibbo last Sunday.
“That’s part of our job (being fired).
“You have to take it and accept it, but you need to be brave as a coach so that you move forward,” Mangombe told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday.
Mangombe was also a victim of Dynamos’ revolving door, as he paved the way for Chigowe in August last year.
After serving as an assistant to Herbert Maruwa, Mangombe replaced the former at Dynamos in 2023.
In fact, since the departure of Tonderai Ndiraya in 2022, Dynamos have appointed three coaches: Maruwa, Mangombe and Chigowe.
And Mangombe feels for Chigowe.
“You know what, when you are working as coaches, you tend to have an attachment, a sort of bond.
“You begin to share some of the problems and also even the family issues.
“So, when one of you loses a job, you also feel for them,” said Mangombe.
Mangombe has what looks like an onerous task of lifting Triangle from the bottom of the log standings after assuming duty at the Sugar Suga Boys on April 19.
He has so far presided over five league games and accumulated seven points out of a possible 15.
Mangombe knows all too well the pain of being sacked, having just endured a forgettable and yet very short stint in Tanzania.
“We have a tough job as coaches, but sometimes you have to accept your fate.”
His Triangle faces a daunting task in their next assignment against champions Simba Bhora at Wadzanai on Saturday, but he reckons Chigowe will bounce back stronger.
“Dynamos is home, even to us all; we have been there before.
“One day Chigowe is going to be back and also rectify the mistakes and then consolidate the good things he was doing.
“He wasn’t bad because he also managed to win the Chibuku Super Cup and also led the team in the African Safari.
“So, it’s good for us to also appreciate what Chigowe has done right,” added Mangombe.
“If you are fired, the good thing is there is also another team looking for your services.
“You go there, you prove yourself, and also you correct those mistakes that actually caused you to be fired.
“I’m happy that most of the coaches who are fired are getting jobs somewhere.
“You also need to have that character that if I’m fired, I need to go and work extra hard and correct my mistakes and move forward.
“I just wish Chigowe all the best in his new endeavours.”
