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Lawrence Moyo
Head Zimpapers Sports Hub
GENESIS Mangombe was kicked out of Dynamos last week after an eventful year as head coach of the popular Harare giants, undoubtedly his biggest job in a young career.
He had an eventful spell that promised a lot but ended in frustration as statistics suggest DeMbare never really improved on the record set by his predecessor, Herbert Maruwa, who was fired with a success rate of 53,70 percent from 18 league matches.
Mangombe’s overall Dynamos league record had a “success” rate of below 50 percent.
He will be remembered for ending Dynamos’ cup drought and earning a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup.
A section of the Dynamos community loved him so much they preferred the nickname “Kaka” each time they spoke about him.
But to underline a frustrating relationship with Dynamos, Mangombe left the club just a fortnight before their return to continental club football following his success in the Chibuku Super Cup last year.
It was the first time Dynamos won the Chibuku Super Cup. He will, however, not enjoy the fruits of his labour.
Mangombe begins life as a Division One coach this afternoon, when he leads ambitious Scottland against lowly Zambezi Gas and Coal in a Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) encounter at the Heart Stadium.
He officially joined Scottland, and even received a car, within 10 hours of leaving Dynamos.
While the move surprised many, those closer to Mangombe were well aware that the coach had established a relationship with the Zifa Northern Region Division One club.
Scottland were under pressure to appoint a qualified gaffer as their otherwise impressive William Nyasulu, who dropped to the role of assistant coach, is yet to attain the minimum qualifications required for Division One football.
The NRSL’s requirement for a head coach is a CAF C licence.
Mangombe is a holder of the prestigious CAF A coaching certificate and the local Level Three qualification. He acquired a Level One coaching certificate while still playing.
Just like last year, Mangombe embarks on an ambitious journey in August. His Dynamos journey started on August 19 last year, with a trip to Gweru, where DeMbare beat then-newcomers Sheasham 2-0 and ended in Bulawayo on August 4 this year following a 1-1 draw against Bulawayo Chiefs.
In the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, Mangombe led Dynamos for a combined 37 matches in which they won 13, drew 16 and lost eight for a success rate of just 49,55 percent.
The results exclude the 1-0 win over Green Fuel on November 18, as Mangombe was in Rwanda with the senior national team, the Warriors, as assistant to Baltemar Brito.
Then-assistant coach Lloyd “Mablanyo” Chigowe took charge of that game.
Mangombe’s 2023 league record was: 15 matches, seven wins, four draws and four defeats, and they scored 18 against eight for a total of 25 points.
Mablanyo was also in charge when Dynamos eliminated FC Platinum from the Chibuku Super Cup in the quarter-finals on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Mandava Stadium.
FC Platinum had prevailed over Dynamos in the two previous meetings in the tournament, a record that was ended by Mablanyo in the absence of Mangombe.
Mangombe’s 2024 record
Mangombe managed just six victories in 22 matches, including a 3-0 win over Chegutu Pirates, awarded by the Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee following the abandonment of their match at Baobab Stadium when Dynamos were awarded an injury time goal, which the hosts disputed
The other five wins came against lowly teams — Bikita Minerals, TelOne, Arenel Movers, Green Fuel and Hwange
All the six teams that earned Mangombe maximum points occupied the bottom seven places on the league standings, with 14th-placed Bulawayo Chiefs the odd one out at the end of matchday 22 when he was fired
Under Mangombe, in 2024, Dynamos failed to win against all the teams placed number one to 11 at the time of his dismissal
Dynamos also failed to win two matches in succession in the 22 matches under Mangombe
After 22 matches, Dynamos had the second most draws in the league with 12 (the same they had for the entire 2023 league season), together with TelOne, and behind ZPC Kariba with 14
Dynamos failed to score in eight of the 22 matches
Excluding the 3-0 win awarded for the abandoned game against Chegutu Pirates, Mangombe’s Dynamos only managed to score more than once on three occasions against Hwange (2-2 at Barbourfields), Ngezi Platinum (2-2 at Rufaro) and Arenel Movers (2-1 at Rufaro)
Their 19 goals in 22 matches was the seventh best in the league, 11 goals behind topscorers FC Platinum
Their defensive record of 16 goals in 22 matches was the fourth best, bettered only by ZPC Kariba (12), Manica Diamonds (12) and Ngezi Platinum Stars (15)
Overall
With 33 goals in 37 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League games, Mangombe’s Dynamos averaged 0,89 goals a game. These include six goals awarded via the boardroom against Highlanders (3-0 in 2023) and Chegutu Pirates (3-0 in 2024)
Thus, in completed matches, Dynamos scored 27 goals in 35 matches (0,77 goals per game)
Mangombe failed to beat his former club, Yadah, on three attempts as he lost one (1-2 in 2023) and drew the other two (0-0 and 1-1 in 2024)
In an identical record, Mangombe failed to beat Bulawayo Chiefs in three matches, losing one (1-2 in 2023) and drawing two (0-0 and 1-1 in 2024)
Mangombe finished his Dynamos reign with an unbeaten record against CAPS United in three matches as they won 1-0 in the league and 2-0 in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final last year and drawing 1-1 in the league this year
When Mangombe replaced Maruwa, Dynamos were nine points behind then-leaders Highlanders and ended the season nine points behind champions Ngezi Platinum Stars
In 2024, Dynamos were 13 points behind leaders Simba Bhora when Mangombe’s reign came to an end
Biggest wins
Mangombe’s biggest win as Dynamos coach was 2-0, achieved against CAPS United and Ngezi Platinum Stars in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final and final, respectively He also achieved the scoreline in league matches against Sheasham (at Bata in 2023).
Heaviest defeat
The 2-0 defeat at home to Highlanders in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League at Rufaro on July 14 and to Ngezi Platinum Stars in the season-opening Castle Challenge match at Baobab in February 2024 were the heaviest losses for Mangombe at Dynamos
Notable controversy
Mangombe abstained from casting his vote in the 2023 Soccer Star of the Year selection, costing Dynamos midfielder the crown, which eventually went to Ngezi Platinum Stars’ Qadr Amini by three points.
Five points from Mangombe’s vote would have handed the Soccer Star of the Year crown to his player Donald Mudadi.
Club captain Frank Makarati also abstained.
Online Reporter