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Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

DYNAMOS will play their blockbuster encounter against Simba Bhora at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday due to the unavailability of their traditional home ground Rufaro Stadium this coming weekend.

DeMbare parted ways with head coach, Genesis Mangombe on Monday evening only for him to join Northern Region Division One side Scotland the next morning.

His departure leaves Lloyd “MaBlanyo” Chigowe in charge of the team in an interim but his first match against log leaders Simba Bhora is a tricky one.

The Shamva based outfit sits top of the table with 43 points from 22 games. FC Platinum, who lost to CAPS United in Harare, are now in second place just a point behind the leaders.

 In the CAPS United victory, William Manondo scored his 10th goal of the season to become the first player to reach double figures this season. 

Defending champions, Ngezi Platinum are third with 37 points while Highlanders are fourth with 36 points.

Most Dynamos fans expressed their happiness following the departure of Mangombe.

 Kelvin Chokera, the Dynamos Bulawayo chapter vice secretary general says Mangombe’s exit comes as a huge relief.

“To us, this is a relief and we believe it was long overdue especially looking at the team’s poor form  this season. We have had disappointing results week in week out and we hope the change will come soon. Honestly, Mangombe had failed this team considering the fact that we retained the majority of the players we had last season. These are players that won the Chibuku Super Cup and we expected the team to grow from there but disappointingly we became even worse than we were last season,” said Chokera.

Another fan, Takudzwa Ndunduma said:”Mangombe’s dismissal was long overdue, under his guidance, the team was not progressing at all. Out of the 38 league matches he presided over, he won only 14 and had an average of 0.89 goals per match. Such statistics are not in tandem with a big institution like Dynamos. Moreover, his relationship with the club’s supporters had turned sour, a situation which is not healthy if the club wants to achieve big things. Although his play was eye-catching through his possession based philosophy, results were not coming hence as fans we welcome the team’s management decision to part ways with coach Kaka. All the best to Mablanyo who takes over on an interim basis.”

Fixon Sibanda also welcomed Mangombe’s exit 

“Mangombe lost it when he lost control of the dressing room. A good coach is the one who can inspire confidence in the squad. Losing home and away is an unpardonable mistake to us the  seven million fans. The shoes were too big for Genesis, he must trace his roots back to the genesis. Giving him the hot seat was like throwing a toddler to the deep end,” said Sibanda.

Trust Jim, however, feels firing the coach is not the solution to Dynamos’ problems.

“I think nothing will change. Our leadership led by Bernard Marriott is the problem at Dynamos. We can change coaches every season but as long as Marriott is there we are not going anywhere. This is why a big club like DeMbare is struggling to beat small teams,” said Jim.

In other Week 23 Premier Soccer League fixtures, Bulawayo Chief will welcome Bikita Minerals at Luveve Stadium while Yadah Stars meet TelOne at Heart Stadium.

Greenfuel will battle against Chicken Inn at Greenfuel Arena. FC Platinum will have a date with Arenel Movers.

On Sunday, Highlanders will lockhorns with defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Barbourfields Stadium.

Colliery Stadium will be the venue for the game between Hwange and Chegutu Pirates in what will be a repeat of the Chibuku Super Cup preliminary round encounter between the two sides that will be played this afternoon at Mandava Stadium. 

PSL Week 23 Fixtures

 Saturday 

Dynamos v Simba Bhora (Barbourfields Stadium) Bulawayo Chiefs v Bikita Minerals (Luveve Stadium) Yadah v Telone (Heart Stadium) GreenFuel v Chicken Inn (GreenFuel Arena) ZPC Kariba v CAPS United (Nyamhunga Stadium) FC Platinum v Arenel Movers (Mandava Stadium)

 Sunday Hwange v Chegutu Pirates (Colliery Stadium) Highlanders v Ngezi Platinum (Barbourfields Stadium) Manica Diamonds v Herentals (Sakubva)—@innocentskizoe