Latest News Editor's Choice


Sports / soccer

Dynamos coach gets ultimatum

by Ndou Paul
20 May 2011 at 07:46hrs | Views
DYNAMOS chairman Farai Munetsi yesterday conceded pressure was piling up after the Glamour Boys fired blanks, for the third straight match, at the weekend.

DeMbare's goalless draw against Shabanie followed a 0-0 draw against Gunners and a 0-1 defeat at Zimbabwe Saints.

Munetsi revealed that the Dynamos executive recently met and laid down conditions for coach Lloyd Mutasa to start winning games and stop the slide.

The Glamour Boys are languishing in the bottom half of the table with 13 points and Mutasa, according to sources, was given three games - after the defeat at Saints - to turn things around.

So far he has just picked up two out of six points in the first two of those three matches.

Their rivals Motor Action reinforced their lead in the race on 21 points following Wednesday's win over FC Platinum while Highlanders edged into second place with 20 points after beating Chicken Inn 2-1 in a Bulawayo derby.

Munetsi yesterday said they were concerned about DeMbare's poor run in the Premiership although he has not yet lost faith in the coach.

"We have had an average start but it's not a very good season by Dynamos standards.

"We started off slowly and this is a cause for concern for everyone because things have not gone according to our expectations.

"We should be where Motor Action are at the moment and I think the sooner we start turning the corner the better for everyone.

"We are not scoring goals and for that reason we have met as an executive and we sent a message to the coaches to start winning games.

"The coaches should find out what really the problems is, why we are not scoring goals, and make recommendations to the executive.

"The gap between us and Motor Action is now worrying. It was better last week when it was six points, which translated to two games, but now it has increased to eight and we are under pressure to close that gap.

"It becomes a mammoth task when we lag too far behind," said Munetsi.

But it appears Dynamos' woes in front of goal will stay with them until probably after they beef up their squad when the mid-season transfer window opens next month.

Pressure has been mounting in recent weeks for the club to start delivering after a poor start to the season but goals are just not coming their way.

According to reports, Mutasa and his lieutenants Masimba Dinyero and Ralph Kawondera were left clueless when DeMbare missed some gilt-edged chances at Maglas despite having dedicated most of their time to their frontline in recent training sessions.

Dynamos have not scored in seven games this season with their strikers Roderick Mutuma, Martin Vengesai and Patrick Khumbula sharing five goals in the last 10 matches.

Munetsi yesterday said they remained hopeful and urged the supporters to rally behind the team during the difficult moments.

DeMbare will face Shooting Stars on Sunday hoping for a change of fortunes.

Munetsi said Dynamos were still looking ahead with confidence in the hope of returning to the form they had in pre-season.

"I think the players suffered burnout from the numerous high-profile games we played during the off-season and the loss of confidence from that demoralising defeat in Algeria affected our momentum.

"Right now we have nine players who are down with injuries and it's difficult for the coaches.

"Another key player Archford Gutu is away on trials in Europe and might not come back.

"So we have to beef up during the transfer period because Denver Mukamba may also not last the whole season with us and the other players may decide to go to South Africa.

"That is why we are saying the coach should look at the his squad, identify areas that need strengthening and make recommendations to the executive because we have no choice but to raise our game especially in the second half of the season," he said.

Dynamos' cheerleader Chris Romario Musekiwa also urged the clubs' supporters to rally behind the team and their coach Mutasa.

"I am convinced Dynamos will come good soon. As supporters we must rally behind our team under all circumstances and we should give Mutasa maximum support. Rome was not built in a day. We must not press the panic baton," said Musekiwa.

Source - TNZ