DeMbare happy with dark horse tag
Langton Nyakwenda
AT this stage last season, Dynamos were six points behind log leaders FC Platinum, but by the end of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race, the Harare giants were a massive 17 points behind the eventual champions.
While FC Platinum posted seven wins and two draws in their last nine matches, Dynamos stuttered and could only manage three wins and as many draws.
FC Platinum raked in 23 points in those nine matches, while DeMbare amassed 12.
Such was the difference in character between the two sides.
DeMbare have not been strong finishers in the last five seasons.
In 2019, they picked up eight out of a possible 27 points in their last nine matches and, in the previous season, they had only managed 10.
However, Genesis Mangombe, the man in charge of DeMbare’s current campaign, is determined to change the script.
Since taking over from Herbert Maruwa on August 8, he has transformed the Glamour Boys into an exciting team that thrives on ball movement and intensity.
The ex-Yadah coach has been pushing his charges to soldier on until the finishing line.
DeMbare might have lost some ground in the title race when being restricted to a goalless draw by Triangle on Thursday — a result that left them 11 points behind log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars after 25 rounds — but Mangombe insists they are still a “dangerous” dark horse.
“If we play nine games and win all of those games, we will have 27 points, and that might leave us somewhere up there.
“No team will get all the 27 points; that is for sure,” he declared.
Dynamos host Herentals at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
“We cannot lose this game. We cannot lose four or five points in two games, especially at this stage of the season.
“But what I know is teams will drop points and we also need to capitalise so that we narrow the gap.”
Dynamos had 40 points after Match Day
25. They are, however, all but assured of a further three points from their abandoned match against Highlanders on September
10.
Mangombe has lost only once in seven league matches since replacing Maruwa.
He has three wins, two draws and a loss to Bulawayo Chiefs.
“One good thing about Dynamos is that they are now playing entertaining football.
“Like I said in the early stages after my appointment, I want to change the brand of football.
“I normally like the passing game with much intensity when going forward, and the boys have responded well,” he said.
Skilful wingers Keith Madera and Issa Sadiki have been providing that intensity going forward, with consistent performer Emmanuel Jalai also a menace from the right channel.
Jalai has been shining for DeMbare this season and has of late been enjoying his reunion with Lloyd Chigowe, who is now back as Mangombe’s assistant.
It was Chigowe who discovered Jalai at Aces Youth Academy in 2019.
Junior Makunike has also been DeMbare’s unsung hero in the midfield.
When Mangombe took over after Match Day 18, Dynamos trailed then-log leaders Highlanders by nine points.
By the end of midweek fixtures, DeMbare were five points behind Bosso, with the potential of that gap being reduced to two if the abandoned match between the two giants is awarded to them.
However, the gap between Dynamos and current log leaders Ngezi has remained constant, thanks to the Mhondoro side’s consistency.
The gap was 11 points after Match Day 25, with Dynamos hoping it will be reduced by three points via the PSL boardroom.
DeMbare’s run-in is not easy, with clashes against both Ngezi and FC Platinum still to come.
They will also face Manica Diamonds and ZPC Kariba away in their remaining games.
Ngezi will date relegation-threatened sides Simba Bhora, Yadah, Cranborne Bullets and Sheasham.
They also have potential banana skin fixtures against Hwange at the Colliery and Chicken Inn at home.
“The log leaders are not very far away from us but thumbs up to Ngezi; they are doing a great job.
“I think this is what is needed in our league; we need good competition,” Mangombe added.
“As for us, we are happy, because we are the dark horses and, in this scenario, we still have to play Ngezi, who also still have some tricky fixtures. “So, you don’t know the outcome of these games. These are big matches which will determine who is who.”
In Herentals, DeMbare have a tricky customer.
Matches between the two sides are unpredictable. The reverse fixture ended 0-0 at the National Sports Stadium.
There was also crowd trouble during and after the match.
Assistant referee Edgar Rumeki was injured by missiles hurled by a section of rowdy Dynamos fans.
“Herentals are tricky because they are also playing good football,” added Mangombe. The Students are just four points behind DeMbare and have posted two wins in their last five matches, including the 2-1 victory over Ngezi.
“They (Herentals) have been together for a long time and they have that fighting spirit within them.
“Besides, every team playing Dynamos will give their all because they want to prove something.“The players also want to impress DeMbare coaches, since everyone wants to play for Dynamos.”
Dynamos have failed to beat Herentals in their last three league meetings.
The two sides have met seven times in the league and both have two wins apiece, while the other three contests were deadlocked.
Fixtures:
Hwange v United (Colliery), Dynamos v Herentals CAPS (National Sports Stadium), Yadah v Triangle (Baobab Stadium), Green Fuel v Cranborne Bullets (Green Fuel Stadium), Sheasham v Bulawayo Chiefs (Bata Stadium).