adminBothwell Mahlengwe
WHOEVER coined the statement, “United we stand, divided we fall” was right. The person didn’t know there would be a football team in Zimbabwe called Dynamos which would become testimony to that statement in the 2014 domestic season.
I remember writing about Kenny Mubaiwa and advising him that his work was cut out at Dynamos before he even thinks of contesting the PSL chairmanship.
Some thought I was going crazy and wrongly attacking the Dynamos chairman.
Six games into the season and I am vindicated.
Dynamos is on fire with at least three egocentric cocks trying to out-fill each other in the same room.
The situation at Dynamos is one of big egos and ignorance that is so shameful to the people involved.
DeMbare is my team and so no one can accuse me of trying to destroy it.
The Board
This is the root of all Dynamos problems, a group of selfish people who think that, by virtue of being born early, they deserve all the cake.
These guys do not want to build a Dynamos for the future, but thrive on chaos so that they can “loot” the meagre earnings that come from gate takings.
Any attempts to normalise and systematise operations at Dynamos are thwarted by the Board.
Their shield is always “chinhu ndechedu.”
What they don’t understand is that they stand to benefit more if there is order at Dynamos.
In the current furore, their silence has been deafening. Instead of acting as the mediator they have left it to unfold in their sight. Wasn’t it going to be simple to call Mubaiwa and Pasuwa to a round table meeting so that they iron out their differences in an amicable way?
Mr Board chairman, we expect better.
The Executive
It’s sad that the Executive’s (especially the chairman) lack of support for the coach is so easily traceable. The pressure that they always put on the coach is frightening. Whenever there is a slump in the team’s performance they run and start talking to other coaches.
Do you really know how rich Pasuwa’s CV is now?
In the three years that he has been at Dynamos, he has won nine trophies for the team. 2011 – Castle Lager Premiership and Mbada Diamonds Cup, 2012 – Castle Lager Premiership, Mbada Diamonds Cup and NetOne Charity Shield, 2013 – Castle Lager Premiership, Independence Trophy and Bob89 Super Cup, 2014 – Bob90 Super Cup.
This is unrivalled in this nation in the history of organised football. He is our own Pep Guardiola.
Take the achievements of all the coaches you have wanted to replace him with and you will see that they don’t come anywhere near those of Pasuwa.
Not individually, but all combined.
Yes, he has weaknesses.
Instead of always hovering an axe over his head why don’t you arrange refresher courses or attachments for him during the off-season?
How can the biggest team in the land travel by road for close to 300km on the same day they are playing a match?
How can you give US$5 per player as money for food on match day? And you expect good results?
If this is not sabotage, then what is?
The father of a united family doesn’t criticise his son in the public. Neither does the son. They fiercely debate indoors but when they emerge from there they stand by each other. Not our chairman.
“‘We might be three points away from the leading teams, but the team is not playing well. There is no consistency at all and you wonder whether we are improving or not,” thundered Mubaiwa.
Three points from the top team and 50 percent winning record in the first six games of the season and you are already pressing the panic button?
So much for confidence in your coach.
Have you looked at the circumstances surrounding that performance?
How is the morale in the team due to lack of proper working conditions? How many players are injured and why?
That’s why I said your job is cut out for you at Dynamos and you don’t need to assume any other football responsibilities outside Dynamos. Your plate is already full. And it’s time to shape up.
The technical team
Pasuwa cuts a lone figure on that bench. It seems he has no one to turn to. And this problem lies solely with him. He needs to sort it out himself. The medical team is not helping as well.
Players claim to be injured without certification from them?
That’s unheard of the world over.
Even national team players need the national team doctor’s certification for an injury regardless of where they were injured.
This is for you to sort out, Callisto.
Regardless of your problems with the chairman, Callisto, if he calls you for a meeting you are supposed to attend. Respect is key to a sound working relationship. It doesn’t help you holding grudges with your chairman.
The Players
What has clearly been lacking is the fighting spirit. The players are quick to give up when things are not going their way. That’s not the Dynamos spirit we know. We fight on until the last minute.
That’s why you see the coach turning to the ageing Murape when the chips are down.
Even though his glory days are past him, he keeps on fighting no matter the crowd is supporting him or booing him. He is the epitome of the Dynamos fighting spirit – it’s not over until it’s over.
Rumours of faking injuries and not turning up for training because you are siding with a certain faction are not good for your career and life.
Word of advice – No one trusts a spy.
Do your work diligently and leave football politics to the offices; it should never reach the field of play. Who does it help if the team loses? Food for thought.
I believe it’s a blessing in disguise that these cracks have come out early in the season. Whatever differences we have let’s not forget our main target for Dynamos – to be the dominant force in Zimbabwean and African football.
Let’s leave our selfish interests outside and work for the Dynamos’ common cause.
If we achieve this, we all will be winners.
Bothwell Mahlengwe is a banker and former Premiership footballer and can be contacted, for feedback, on – [email protected]
Online Reporter