Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi and Curtworth Masango
The celebrations on the Dynamos bench at the end of Sunday’s comprehensive win over Triangle told a big story of how desperately the side needed such a result after a bleak run stretching six games without a win.
With the win, DeMbare coach Genesis Mangombe could have survived a storm.
Murmurs of discontent had already started gathering momentum in the Glamour Boys family in the last few weeks after the side appeared to have lost their way, with four draws and two defeats.
A full-blown tempest was lurking on the horizon if results continued to elude the Harare giants. The DeMbare leadership was also on the verge of pressing the panic button as a section of supporters wanted the coach replaced.
But the 3-0 mauling of Triangle at Rufaro on Sunday could have paused the narrative for the time being. A member of the executive committee last week told Zimpapers Sports that they were approaching a point where a “difficult decision” to reshuffle the technical team could be made.
But the relief was quite evident on the face of Mangombe, who cheerily hugged every member of the technical team and all the players on the bench soon after the final whistle on Sunday. Goals from Shadreck Nyahwa, Christopher Netty and Leroy Mavhunga secured the game. This was their biggest win in nine months, having last posted such a result back in August 2025 when they thrashed relegated Kwekwe United 3-0.
Dynamos could have won by a bigger margin, but they missed a penalty kick. The victory was a departure from the previous two games when they conceded late goals to lose the Derby against CAPS United as well as in the 2-2 draw against Herentals.
“If you saw the way we played in those games, I think we did very well, except that luck was not on our side and we conceded last-minute goals.
“But there are positives which I think we need to consolidate, especially scoring goals. The major weakness that we had was conceding silly goals from the crosses and from corner kicks, which we have tried to work on, and there was no danger.
“But if we can manage to score three goals against Triangle, which is a very difficult team, it means we are not a bad side as people may think,” said Mangombe. In recent years Dynamos have mastered knock-out shoot-outs with a high conversion rate, but of late a worrying trend has emerged in league play, and it centres on their centre forward Jairos Kasondo.
With no cup commitments currently underway, Dynamos have been fully focused on their Castle Lager Premiership campaign.
Their direct, attacking style has paid dividends in the form of multiple penalties. However, the return from 12 yards has been less than clinical. Kasondo, entrusted as the club’s designated penalty taker, has endured a difficult run from the spot of late. The striker has now missed two crucial penalties in recent league outings. Against Simba Bhora, he saw his effort parried away by William Thole; meanwhile, on Sunday against Triangle United, besides sending Panashe Nyabunga the wrong way, he blazed his effort wide.
Despite these misses, the numbers tell a story of Kasondo’s effectiveness. He remains the Dynamos’ leading goal scorer with six goals, and crucially, three of those have come from the penalty spot. He has converted three and missed two, giving him a 60 percent success rate from 12 yards.
Dynamos have however, managed to win both matches where Kasondo missed from the spot. Mangombe said the club is backing Kasondo as the penalty taker.
“Jairos has confidence, he can do anything,” said Mangombe.
Mangombe revealed an interesting dynamic within the dressing room, suggesting that Kasondo’s teammates are also looking to him despite the recent misses. Mangombe said Kasondo has a willingness to take responsibility in high-pressure moments.
“Some of the boys will be hiding and saying, give it to him,” said Mangombe.
Meanwhile, Kasondo said it’s painful to miss a penalty, but as a player he has to focus on the positives and move on.
“It’s painful, but that’s football.”
Despite disappointment on missing the penalty, Kasondo said he won’t let it define his season.
