Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BERNARD MARRIOT LUSENGO has paid glowing tribute to the Dynamos fans for being the rock upon which the Harare giants’ resurgence in the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign has been built.
After a tumultuous 2025 term during which the relationship between the fans and the team endured moments of friction, DeMbare and their demanding supporters have renewed their vows.
The huge turnout of the Dynamos fans for the famous Harare derby clash against CAPS United, underscored their new love affair with the club.
And Marriot, who is back to his feet after being under the weather recently, said he had also been charmed by “the discipline I saw from the supporters even when some refereeing decisions went against us.
“I am alive and well and as fit as a fiddle,’’ Marriot said.
He underlined the significance of the DeMbare fans to the club’s cause.
“They did not throw missiles or cause any mayhem. I must say this is the biggest derby crowd we have witnessed in more than 25 years, and it shows that our supporters are happy and playing their role as the 12th man, and I want to heartily thank them for their passion and support,’’ Marriot said.
The Dynamos supremo, who rarely makes public pronouncements and interviews, also saluted the club’s three-man executive committee of chairman Vincent Chawonza, secretary-general Divine Sena and chief executive Desmond Bvute for “a splendid job’’.
“In just 50 days, our executive committee has done a splendid and professional job to turn around Dynamos and stabilise the ship.
“For the first time in a very long time Dynamos is now being able to attract corporate partners, and the good thing I have really liked about these three gentlemen is that they have let their fine works make the noise.
“We have AfricaBet who have done well, and we are very happy with the, we have Sakunda and Nyaradzo, who have always been there for us, and we have others like Crown Pharmacies, who have also come on board.
“A lot of things were in shambles when this executive took over, some players and former players and coaches had not been paid, and they have been doing a lot to clear the debts, engaging creditors to work out payment plans.
“Such things like player strikes are now a thing of the past.”
He noted that had his executive also not swiftly moved to engage creditors, including foreign players who were owed money by Dynamos, the club’s bid to participate in the CAF Confederation Cup could have potentially been under threat.
“You know that when players or your former employees like coaches report you to FIFA and if you do not pay up, you can be suspended from international competition and can also be slapped with a transfer ban, but our executive has been working hard to avoid all that.”
Marriot said he was not surprised that there would be some forces who do not want progress at Dynamos.
“At this club, we are often victims of our success, when we are struggling, you do not see the rabble-rousers but when all is well and stable, that is when you see the devils trying to run away with the gospel.
“But I am glad that the group of professionals we have not allowed negative things to distract them from their mission to make Dynamos competitive and attractive again.”
Marriot also described Wicknell Chivayo as “God-sent’’ after the businessman donated a bus and offered a one-off bonus of US$50 000 to the players “for their gallant show,” albeit in a 2-1 losing cause to city rivals CAPS United.
“I really want to thank Sir Wicknell Chivayo for donating a bus and giving the players a US$50 000 bonus even though we lost the game last weekend.
“He is really God-sent when you see that he has helped so many people, and he has now also come to assist us,’’ Marriot said.
After suffering the 2-1 against CAPS United, Dynamos are back at Rufaro this afternoon for another derby clash when they date bogey side Herentals.
While it’s all kudos in the boardroom, coach Genesis Mangombe and his charges would have to stem a five-match win-less run that has seen them slide from the top four on the log standings.
After drawing three games, DeMbare have gone on to lose their last two outings to Chicken Inn and CAPS United, and Mangombe knows he must quickly bounce back to winning ways if he is to avoid testing the patience of the Dynamos fans.
