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Innocent Kurira, [email protected] 

DESPITE having the unquestionable backing of the club executive, it is clear Genesis Mangombe has lost the support of fans and, even worse, his dressing room. 

Mangombe must count himself lucky he is still Dynamos head coach. He is said to be at loggerheads with some of his senior players, who are now leading a growing faction of players unhappy with his methods. 

The fans have not hidden their frustration with him, as almost every match day at their home ground, Rufaro Stadium, has been characterised by protests. On some occasions, exit plans have had to be made for the coach to leave the venue. 

Fans want Mangombe gone.

Mangombe, however, has not lost the will to fight on at all. With all the turmoil, he feels confident of winning the DeMbare fans over again and has pleaded for their support ahead of his side’s trip to face a depleted Bulawayo Chiefs outfit at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow. 

Mangombe will be praying not to be greeted by a hostile Mpilo End, who last weekend sang for Herbert Maruwa to return to DeMbare after he held Highlanders to a nil-all draw.

“We respect our fans. They should come in their numbers and rally behind the team. Our fans in Bulawayo have always had our back, and we hope for the same on Sunday. 

The fans are our 12th man, and they help us a lot. Hopefully, they come in their numbers and support the team on Sunday as they also get a glimpse of the team that will represent us in Africa,” said Mangombe.

He added: “So far, we are playing well. Our problem has been the fact that we are not converting our chances. Against Bulawayo Chiefs, I feel it will be an open game for everyone, which will make it an interesting one and a good game of football. Most of the teams we have played have been employing defensive tactics when they play against us, but we are hoping for a more open game on Sunday. They have new players who are full of energy, so we have to contain them and use our experience to punish them.”

DeMbare are seventh on the log standings with 29 points after having found the net 18 times in 21 games. They have drawn eleven games and only won six, half the number of matches that log leaders FC Platinum have won so far. 

For a team that completed the previous season in position three, a mere nine points away from eventual champions Ngezi Platinum Stars and won the Chibuku Super Cup, much was expected.

There could be no better chance at some form of redemption for Mangombe than to win against a struggling Bulawayo Chiefs. The team lost the majority of their first-team players in the mid-season window and find themselves in yet another rebuilding exercise in the middle of the season. 

The duo of Tatenda Ndlovu and Malvin Sithole left to join Wangu Mazodze in the Central Region Division One league, while Nkosiyabo Masilela and the experienced Xolisani Moyo joined TelOne. Highlanders got Never Rauzhi on loan, while defender and Captain Malvern Hativagoni is now with Ngezi Platinum. Midfielder Moses Muchenje might be out for the rest of the season after incurring a serious injury.

“The major problem right now is that we have no personnel. We are trying to work with what is there, but it has been difficult. We will give it our best against Dynamos on Sunday, and hopefully, we get something out of the game,” said Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda.

In other matches, in-form Simba Bhora welcomes equally on-fire Yadah Stars at Wadzanayi Stadium this afternoon. On Sunday, Philani “Beefy” Ncube will lead Arenel Movers for their game against fellow new boys Bikita Minerals at Sakubva Stadium. Caps United will square off against FC Platinum at Rufaro Stadium in what promises to be an exciting duel. TelOne welcome Hwange at Gweru’s Bata Stadium.

PSL Week 22 Fixtures

Saturday: Herentals v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Manica Diamonds (Luveve), Simba Bhora v Yadah Stars (Wadzanayi), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Greenfuel (Baobab)

Sunday: Bikita Minerals v Arenel (Sakubva), CAPS United v FC Platinum (Rufaro), Chegutu Pirates v Highlanders (Baobab), TelOne v Hwange (Bata). — @innocentskizoe.