Sights and sounds from Sakubva

ESTEEMED followers of the game of football, thank you for finding time for interaction. Sunday’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Sakubva Stadium between Mutare City Rovers and Dynamos is one that was always going to be intriguing as there were several both on and off field sub-plots going into the fixture.

Here were two troubled sides that had everything to fight for in a game whose outcome would have a huge bearing and impact in many aspects on both teams.

Dynamos’ technical department, led by the under-fire Jorge Paulo Silva, was fighting for its dear life on the bench as it plunged into the first of a three-match ultimatum whose return should be the maximum nine points; while Mutare City Rovers were hunting for their first set of full points, or at least grind out one with a draw, after two opening losses to the new campaign, which had seen Taku Shariwa being roped in as the new head coach.

And there emerged several talking points out of the tie, memorable sights and sounds, as the two teams did not disappoint.

Silva lining for DeMbare coaches

While a dark cloud appeared to be looming large over Silva’s future at Dynamos following a stuttering start to the season, the Portuguese gaffer heaved a huge sigh of relief as he watched his charges narrowly overcome the battling hosts.

After having made up and kissed last week, during which period the tactician took out his players for lunch, smoke the peace pipe together and patched up whatever differences there might have been, the Glamour Boys responded in style and handed their coach his first victory and goals for this season.

This effectively meant that the tactician survived to fight another day, with the remainder of the ultimatum being the Harare Derby against CAPS United this weekend and a visit to the Colliery conundrum of Hwange.

What particularly caught Gamechanger’s eye is the ecstatic celebrations which consumed the Dynamos bench following the opener by Kudzanayi Nyakasaka.

What followed the second strike, as second half substitute, Roderick Mutuma stabbed home what would turn out to be the winner was near-euphoric: Silva sprang from the bench, wheeled away wildly, tossed himself up and perched on goal-scorer Mutuma’s back as he joined the rest of the players in celebrating.

Then there was his assistant coach, Lloyd “Samaita” Mutasa, who triumphantly punched the air with uncontrolled jubilation.

Indeed, Silva and his lieutenants, Samaita and team manager, Richard Chihoro’s unrestrained elation could hardly be contained as it came on a three-course platter: first, and perhaps more important, it threw them a lifeline in their jobs, which were precariously hanging by the thread; second, the team finally found its scoring touch and third, but not thin on worthiness, Dynamos picked maximum points for the first time this term.

This, without doubt, was welcome relief as this victory meant that these dead men walking had found some respite at a roadside clinic as they seemingly trudge on the highway to hell.

As a sweetener, the DeMbare bench also felt vindicated that their tactical touch of giving Nyakasaka the nod in attack and Mutuma rising off the bench had carried their day and settled the contest as both weighed in with the much-needed, match-winning goals.

Young shot-stopper Tatenda Mukuruva also turned heads as he did not wait for the post-match handshake rituals, but promptly stormed off the field hanging his head down.

For a youthful and national team ‘keeper, who had taken a lot of stick from his coach for perceived poor performances, it is understandable that he was sad that he come out blemished because he had conceded again.

Mutare City get roving

It might be early days, yes, but Mutare City Rovers showed what they could be capable of under Shariwa. His appointment appeared to be the missing piece in Gusha Bhora’s poor start puzzle as the team played with renewed impetus.

A marked improvement was evident in the team’s display, which impressed its faithful.

The team might have lost on the pitch, but on the terraces it certainly won several admirers.

Although this is still a transitional period, following Shariwa’s arrival, the team responded well to the way their new coach wants them to play and it promises to get better.

And Shariwa provided the most interesting sounds to the game in his post-match interview: “We lost because we conceded two soft goals; that is bad in football and I am not happy.

“The guys have been lacking in belief and looked psychologically down.

“However, there has been a lot of immaculate movement of the ball in the team and we have to continue working hard so we improve on many other aspects of our game.”

Through his input, Mutare City Rovers now appear to have a particular pattern of play that took a certain shape and form during the match.

That’s the way to go, Minister Mandi!

Perhaps stung by how unwell the province’s representatives were faring in the top-flight league, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Mandi Chimene went down the motherly path of lending morale support to the boys.

Her attendance and watching the team in action was a huge boost as it soared their spirits and the boys battled on to snatch a late consolation goal. Thank you lots and long may you continue gracing us with your presence at Sakubva, Minister Mandi, and root for the province’s Gusha project!

What fitness are you training, Masakure?

Mutare City Rovers’ fitness trainer, Ephraim Masakure, cuts an unacceptably obese figure and always looks out of place on that bench.

The burly coach was shunted to that portfolio and lost the assistant coach role to his hitherto boss, Kenny “Bokande” Kachara when Shariwa was ushered in.

The point is: Masakure is just overweight to execute his duties effectively. A pot-bellied fitness trainer, with that protruding mass of a stomach?

Holy Mary Mother of Jesus Christ!

What fitness is he training the players – if any, with that obesity – when he cannot take care of his own?

Tell me of just one obese coach the world over and I will show you a dozen bald-headed Cristiano Ronaldos!

Gamechanger shall be watching Masakure closely and if he does not work on and improve his own fitness, he may be a subject on this column!

Let’s rally behind Young Warriors

Zimbabwe’s youth team took a step forward in their quest for qualification for the 2017 Africa Under-20 Championship when they they wiped out a 0-1 first leg deficit to defeat Botswana 2-0. The victory sees the boys advance to the second round of the tournament qualifiers where they will meet Cameroon’s Indomitable Cubs next month.

Young Warriors coach Jairos Tapera has called for thorough preparations in readiness for the tie.

The team, indeed, deserves all the support it can get from stakeholders, as this will help keep the momentum of success and qualifying for major tournaments that the Mighty Warriors and Warriors have gathered.

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Your column is useful and helping us football pundits to feel right. Please, keep the standards up. – Terrence Mwedzi.

It’s Game On, Play On!