Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE vibe at the Dynamos training ground these days is on another level, and this is presenting some positive headaches for coach Genesis Mangombe and his technical team.
There is renewed optimism among the Dynamos players to build their 2026 Premiership campaign after laying down a good foundation with an unbeaten run in their first six games.
For a side that fought relegation until the last match of the season, stumbling much more like an ailing giant, the idea is to turn around the narrative, and it seems everyone in the DeMbare changing room wants to be part of the story.
Ahead of their clash against FC Platinum at Rufaro this Sunday, Mangombe was in a buoyant mood as he faced the media for his weekly pre-match conference, with one of his assistants, Tonderai Marume taking over the drills and increasing the intensity.
“I am happy with the way the boys are performing at training. They really want to make it into the final match-day squad.
“Now we are having a problem of team selection because everyone is geared up and raring to go,” said Mangombe.
The last few weeks have been full of life for the Glamour Boys.
They have raked up four wins from their opening six matches, drawing the other two.
Just last week, the Glamour Boys posted their first-ever league win at Wadzanai against Simba Bhora, to pocket a second batch of US$500 in winning bonuses. The club recently dangled an increase in the winning bonuses after securing a sponsorship deal with AfricaBet and Contipay.
Where Dynamos ordinarily suffered uncertainty and bemoaned lack of quality in the past decade, the 2026 season has started differently.
Unlike last season when they struggled in front of goal, this year they have scored in every league game that they have played, and their striker Jairos Kasondo is among the top scorers at this juncture after bagging four goals.
Ghanaian Frank Agyemang, who had a barren debut in Zimbabwe the previous campaign, also appears to have found his range, and he netted a beauty in last week’s 1-0 win at Simba Bhora, the first time Dynamos were winning in Shamva.
New defender Hastings Chapusha has fit in perfectly in central defence while captain Shadreck Nyahwa has been crucial in keeping the side together.
Midfielders Tellmore Pio and Leeroy Mavunga have also been rejuvenated, while there is a legion of players eagerly waiting in the wings for their time.
But in Ghanaian fullback Christopher Netty, DeMbare seem to have found a fitting replacement for former captain Emmanuel Jalai who moved to Durban City in South Africa before the start of the season.
Mangombe is carefully tracking the progress his team is making and has left room for improvements in the technical and tactical aspects of the game.
“Yeah, I’m happy but not really satisfied,” he said.
“We still have some few grey areas which I think we need to correct. If we work on that it then becomes positive that we are good to go.
“There are few areas which I think need to be polished, especially the way we defend and also the transitions after winning possession and also our counter-press.
“I think we are still working on those things and at the end of the day, I know if it comes up right, I know we are now a good team and will not fear any other team.”
Dynamos currently occupy second place on the log standings with 14 points. This ranks as one of their best starts to a season in recent years, and Mangombe has charged his players to keep level heads.
“Yeah, I think they know what it is when you play for Dynamos. Every game is very important, and every team will play very well versus us. So, we are doing our best that we don’t have that complacency.
Fixtures:
Tomorrow: FC Hunters v CAPS Utd (Rufaro), Hardrock v AGAMA (Chahwanda), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Triangle (Baobab), TelOne v Chicken Inn (Ascot), Bulawayo Chiefs v Scottland (Barbourfields)
Sunday: Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Barbourfields), Dynamos v FC Platinum (Rufaro), Manica Diamonds v Herentals (GreenFuel Arena)
Monday: MWOS v Simba Bhora (Ngoni).
