Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
SAUL CHAMINUKA has only been in the Dynamos hot seat for two games, but the weight of the Glamour Boys’ legacy already hangs heavy on his shoulders.
A draw in the Harare Derby and a narrow defeat to Ngezi Platinum Stars might not sound like much, but for a club teetering just two points above the relegation zone, every step forward feels monumental.
Make no mistake — the fire is lit. The question is whether Chaminuka can stop the house from burning down.
In his brief tenure, he’s earned just a single point from six, but signs of life are beginning to flicker in a side desperate for oxygen. Dynamos have scored in back-to-back games for the first time this season — a stat that speaks volumes about their early struggles and newfound grit.
Captain Emmanuel Jalai converted from the spot against CAPS United, while Frank Agyemang’s fizzed cross forced an own goal from Ngezi’s Tendai Chirara. Two goals in two matches — modest, but symbolically huge for a team clawing to rediscover its identity.
“Yes, seeing my team get on the scoresheet is a huge step in the right direction. The hunger I’m seeing in training, the drive — that’s the kind of fire I want. The players are buying into the vision,” said Chaminuka.
But goals alone won’t save DeMbare. Chaminuka remains wary of his team’s tendency to concede after taking the lead — a weakness that could prove fatal if left unchecked.
“We need to learn to manage games better once we score,” he cautioned. “There’s inconsistency in focus — that’s our next hurdle.”
And the hurdle couldn’t be any higher. This Sunday, it’s the Battle of Zimbabwe: Dynamos vs Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium. Highlanders arrive in Harare limping — emotionally and competitively.
Last Sunday at Barbourfields, Herentals turned the Bosso faithful’s fortress into a house of horrors. Ralph Kawondera’s opportunistic strike, capitalising on a howler from Arthur Ndlovu, was more than just a goal — it shattered Bosso’s unbeaten home run and sent fans trudging out ten minutes before the final whistle.
Coach Kelvin Kaindu didn’t sugar-coat it.
“We lost it from the warm-up. We looked rusty. Tactically and physically, they were ahead of us,” he admitted post-match.
And that 1–0 loss wasn’t an isolated stumble. A week earlier, Highlanders also fell 2–1 to ZPC Kariba. From early title contenders, they now find themselves in full-blown crisis control mode.
This Sunday’s clash at Rufaro is more than a fixture. It’s a test of character, identity, and survival.
Kaindu has a mountain to climb. His side, once sleek and confident, now looks hesitant and rattled. Players like Andrew Mbeba, Brighton Ncube, and Mason Mushore must summon something extra — especially in front of a rabid Harare crowd that thrives on Highlanders’ missteps.
For Highlanders, the biggest battle might be internal. Can they shake off the psychological bruises? Can Reason Sibanda and Ncube rediscover their scoring rhythm? Is there still a rallying cry left in the dressing room?
Dynamos and Highlanders games are always high stakes, but this one feels different. Both giants are wounded, their confidence frayed, their fan bases restless.
Dynamos midfielder Valentine Kadonzvo believes adversity could be DeMbare’s secret weapon.
“People wrote us off before the CAPS game. But we nearly pulled it off. Big games like these are never about form. They’re about belief, energy, and taking your chances,” he said.
His confidence, though unpolished, reflects a mood shift in the DeMbare camp.
“These games are about the day — not history, not stats. If we get three points on Sunday, that’s more than a win. That’s the start of something big.”
Chaminuka echoes that sentiment. He knows the magnitude of what’s coming and isn’t shying away from the challenge.
“We are not where we want to be yet. But we are close. We just need to polish a few things, grind out results, and we’ll start climbing.”
It’s a tantalising prospect: a rebirth story from the ashes of crisis.
Sunday’s showdown could become a pivotal chapter in this season’s unfolding drama.
For Dynamos, a win would be more than bragging rights — it would be the spark that ignites a revival. For Highlanders, it’s a chance to stop the rot and remind everyone that Barbourfields’ pain was just a blip.
What’s certain is this: when DeMbare and Bosso meet, history trembles. And this time, history is desperate for a hero.
