dyton mupawaenda
Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
TANAKA Shandirwa has become a key member of the new-look Dynamos under interim coach Genesis Mangombe.
It is Mangombe who discovered the in-form DeMbare midfielder in the Premiership at Yadah last season.
Playing alongside Fortune Binzi, Tanaka Mutyambizi and Prosper Kafelapanjila, Shandirwa quickly distinguished himself and made his name.
He was subsequently signed at Dynamos on Mangombe’s recommendation after the latter had been appointed the Glamour Boys assistant coach to Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa early this year.
He hasn’t disappointed at the Harare giants as he has been one of their key figures in their push for the league title.
Shandirwa has scored once while providing seven assists for Dynamos.
His cause has been helped by his mentor Mangombe’s elevation to be the acting head coach following the expulsion of Maruwa four weeks ago.
“As a footballer, you must obviously be able to perform well under any coach,” Shandirwa said.
“I am happy with the way I am playing at Dynamos from Day One.
“Obviously, coach Kaka (Mangombe) is the one who gave me belief when I was still playing at Yadah last season.
“He polished most of the flaws that I had and I owe everything to him.
“I can’t say I have improved my game because he is now in charge at Dynamos.
“Coach Maruwa (Herbert) taught me a lot and Mangombe was also there. That’s why I am saying as a footballer, you need to be able to perform well under any coach.
“But having Mangombe in charge makes it easy for me because I know most of the things which he wants and which he expects”.
Shandirwa is expected to once again lead Dynamos to victory when they play Cranborne Bullets in a league match at Nyamhunga this afternoon.
“There are no longer big and small teams in this league. Any team which applies the right mentality into the game wins matches,” Shandirwa said.
“We need to be at our best to beat them. Cranborne Bullets cannot be seen as mere pushovers. We know they will bring their A Game and restrict us as much as they can.
“We need to go for an early goal. At this point of the marathon, teams have mastered the art of containing better opponents especially in the second half. We cannot allow that to happen if we are to win this game.
“We have to go all out to try and beat that trap. We have been talking about it and we need to deliver”.
Shandirwa said his season will have a dent should Dynamos fail to win the championship.
“I think we need to be more consistent as a team. We should pick results in every game and see what happens. We cannot easily surrender the fight.
“I think as a team we have done very well this season. Individually I am also happy with my performance.
“I have settled well and I am really happy to have been able to fit in well at a club as big as Dynamos.
“But the icing on the cake should be the league title. “We cannot afford to let ourselves and our fans down.
“We need to be remembered as that Class of 2023 that made the club proud by winning the championship when the team was celebrating its 60th anniversary.
“We should minimise mistakes and make sure we utilise all our chances. Our conversion rate ought to improve if we are to really have a say in the destiny of the title”.
Online Reporter