malvernmugadzikwa
Sports Reporter
FOLLOWING the mid-season storm that rocked their boat and claimed the scalps of coach Herbert Maruwa, his assistant Murape Murape and team manager Richard Chihoro, calm has returned to the Dynamos camp.
There is renewed vigour and a sense of belief at the Harare giants that they might just end their nine-year trophy drought.
League championship titles and those from knockout competitions last flowed freely into the DeMbare trophy cabinet in the memorable era when trailblazing coach Kalisto Pasuwa was in charge.
Yet just last month, the DeMbare ship hit turbulent waters characterised by inconsistent performances. Subsequently, Maruwa was made the fall guy after failing to pass his second five-match ultimatum.
Interestingly, Dynamos are unbeaten in five league and cup assignments since handing Maruwa the sack and elevating his first assistant Genesis Mangombe to the throne.
Today, the Mangombe revolution faces its biggest and arguably toughest test when Dynamos — in a rare development in both giants’ history — host Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium.
DeMbare will be the home team in Bulawayo.
An expected bumper crowd at Barbourfields will provide Mangombe and his charges a huge test of their pedigree to withstand the heat of demanding fans.
Whatever the outcome at the business end of this potentially explosive Battle of Zimbabwe showdown, the Dynamos management is satisfied with the calm that has followed the mid-season storm that hit the blue half of the capital.
Club vice-chairman Vincent Chawonza has the last laugh as Dynamos have been playing with some swagger. This has narrowed the gap between Highlanders and Dynamos from nine to five points.
A victory for DeMbare today could see that gap reduced to just two points after 22 games.
Despite having slumped to back-to-back defeats in the last fortnight, Highlanders remain atop with 41 points, while Dynamos (36) are in fourth in a tight race at the top.
Manica Diamonds and Ngezi Platinum Stars are in second and third place, with 39 points each.
Chawonza revealed that Dynamos “are now sensing blood’’ and are crafting ways to reclaim their lost glory.
“We are happy that the storm is over now. If anyone has been closely following our last few games in the Chibuku Super Cup and in the league, it is clear to see that there is increased conviction in the way we are playing now.
“We are actually sensing blood now,” Chawonza added.
He is, however, under no illusion of the tough times ahead.
Apart from today’s Battle of Zimbabwe showdown, Dynamos still have a derby assignment against CAPS United looming.
Chawonza hailed “the unity, discipline and commitment by everyone at the club”.
“A lot has happened in the last two months. A lot has been said and done, but what matters most is the understanding of how big an institution Dynamos is, and how those involved with the club at the moment are coming with strategies that bring about results.
“We believe the squad we have has the capacity to end the dominance that Highlanders have been having over us in the last few years.
“We also believe the squad we have has both the character and talent to win some silverware and end years of drought that we have endured.
“Nine years without a league championship is too much for Dynamos, and without appearing to put pressure on the coach and the players, it is an open secret that the long trophy drought is a huge concern to anyone associated with this great institution that turned 60 this year,’’ Chawonza said.
He also believes Dynamos need to fight their way back into the CAF Champions League as the team’s last highest placing was a semi-final finish under the late David “Yogi’’ Mandigora in 2008.
“Dynamos ought to bounce back in the African safari among other African giants and to do that, we have to win the league and other titles at home first.
“We have to be strategic and professional in our approach and we are putting those strategies in place right now. I am glad results have also been coming,’’ Chawonza said.
Young forwards Elton Chikona and Tendai Matindife, skipper Frank Makarati, goalkeeper Taimon Mvula and midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa have been at the heart of the Dynamos revival mission that has also left their multitudes of fans believing that the Glamour may have returned to DeMbare.
Online Reporter