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Eddie Chikamhi, Harare Bureau

Dynamos 2-1 Arenel Movers

DYNAMOS coach Genesis Mangombe was blindsided by angry fans calling for his ouster despite a victory over Castle Lager Premiership newbies Arenel Movers at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.

The match was marked by a tough-fought 15th-minute strike from captain Emmanuel Jalai and a first-time goal from Namibian striker Sadney Uri-Khob.

Arenel Movers’ substitute Adonice Nyoni’s late goal in the 89th minute put intense pressure on the Glamour Boys, increasing fan heckling after the final whistle.

Despite the win, the home team’s slow start to the season and three wins in only 12 games have upended the faith of supporters, who indirectly accused Mangombe of failing to lead the team.

Adding fuel to the emotional flames, a viral audio file supposedly of the coach criticising his critics for not singing more, has destroyed team morale.Fans barricaded the main exit and chanted for Mangombe’s dismissal.
Mangombe flatly denied the audio doing rounds among the supporters.

“Where was the audio coming from? Is there anyone who can justify that this audio is mine and also did I send it to their group with my number?“So, some of these things are dubious and you don’t know where they are coming from. I don’t believe these are true supporters of Dynamos who are singing like that.

“That much I don’t know because I was surprised. I just saw the placards at the ground so I don’t know where they are coming from. I was just thinking of the game, not concentrating on the placards,” said Mangombe.

Jalai managed to buy the fans’ loyalty for a moment with a fortuitous 15th-minute strike, while Uri-Khob added to the tally seven minutes later.Arenel Movers, however, pulled one back when Nyoni headed home Grey Kufandada’s cross from close range in the 89th minute.

Nyoni had barely been two minutes on the pitch after replacing Brian Jaravaza when the visitors upped the pressure on the Glamour Boys.

According to supporters who spoke to Zimpapers Sport, some of the anger stemmed from the fact that Dynamos have only managed to collect maximum points against newly-promoted sides Bikita Minerals and TelOne.
The Glamour Boys are also set to benefit from another set of points from the abandoned game against the Chegutu Pirates.

The placards were taken out the moment referee Tichaona Mbire blew his whistle to kick off the match and, as if on cue, the Vietnam stand suddenly erupted into the ominous song “Paumire pakaoma”, which when loosely translated means the coach is in a complicated position.

Some of the messages on the placards read “12 games, 2 wins” and “Taneta kurova dzakabva kuD1”.Despite Mangombe’s position in question, he maintained that he has not failed and vowed to keep coaching the team.
“It’s not a problem coaching the team, but if the bosses are seeing something in you, it means they see progress in everything. It’s not for the supporters themselves to start to sing songs like that.

“It means there is a problem somehow, somewhere and remember we were not losing games, and after winning this game, the log has also changed.“If we get the points versus Chegutu Pirates, we are in the top six. So we don’t know what they want.

“It’s a league with a lot of teams, with different philosophies. So, at times you miss winning games because of some reasons beyond our control,” said Mangombe.DeMbare are now 10th on the log with 16 points.DeMbare were made to sweat for yesterday’s win.

Their goalkeeper Martin Mapisa helped them survive a counter-attack with a double save in the 34th minute, denying Brian Ngwenya and Grey Kufandada from point-blank range.

Dynamos suffered a setback a few minutes after the restart when key midfielder, Ghanaian Frederick Ansa-Botchway, who was instrumental in breaking most of the opponents’ play, was hauled out injured.

Arenel were the better side in the second-half as DeMbare were made to defend hard in the nervous final minutes of the game.

Arenel coach Farai Tawachera felt his team could have salvaged a point from the game. He revealed the Bulawayo side had a difficult journey to Harare after suffering breakdowns that led them to arrive in the wee hours.

“I think we played very well. Tactically we were spot-on. Yes, we conceded some early goals. We didn’t travel well as we had a lot of breakdowns along the way. We got here I think around 2am.“I give thumbs up to my boys. It’s not easy to come here and play that type of football,” said Tawachera.

Teams:
Dynamos
Martin Mapisa, Emmanuel Jalai, Shadreck Nyahwa, Donald Dzvinyai, Kevin Moyo, Donald Mudadi (E. Ilunga, 50th min), Nomore Chinyerere, Frederick Ansa-Botchway (T. Magwaza, 53rd min), Emmanuel Ziocha (F. Alick, 76th min) Emmanuel Paga, Sadney Uri-Khob (A. Mandinyenya, 76th min)
Arenel Movers
Aron Ngwenya, Brian Gijimani, Timothy January, Arthur Ndlovu, Brian Javaraza (A. Nyoni, 88th min), Crispen Machisa (J. Sibanda, 60th min), Grey Kufandada, Cedric Chinomona, Grant Chigwenhese, Kudzaishe Dzingwe, Brian Ngwenya (T. Banda, 71st min)