After an inconspicuous start to the season, topped by a humiliating 1-2
defeat to newcomers Eagles last Wednesday, the Dynamos crowd – never a
very patient lot – vented their anger in protests against a man they
hailed as a hero only last year when he took DeMbare to the semi-finals
of the MTN Caf Champions League.
Mandigora or Yogi as they call him at DeMbare finally resigned last
Thursday citing telling journalist that a string of poor results were
the reason he threw in the towel.
And in came another former Dynamos great, Elvis Chuchu' Chiweshe,
whose first assignment as caretaker coach is an unenviable task to stop
high-riding Highlanders in a battle of the titans at Rufaro stadium
today.
Time will tell what will become of Chuchu's reign at DeMbare – if the make him substantive coach.
But under Mandigora, the former champions lost 1-nil to Motor Action,
2-0 to perennial rivals, Caps United, drew 1-all with Njube Sundowns
followed by the 1-2 loss to the premiership debutants, Eagles.
A gambler
Although taking the Glamour Boys to the lucrative mini-league stage and
all the way to the semi-finals of the MTN Caf Champions League, last
year, Mandigora was more of a gambler who changed his line up in almost
every match.
Dynamos are one of the teams with quality and experienced players in
the premiership but he failed to use them to retain the league
championship and eventually save his job.
Naturally, in all sporting disciplines, a team needs identity, and
Dynamos has always been known for victory, with its supporters claiming
it to be a team of the nation.
Having raised the Dynamos crowd's expectations even higher by winning
the league championship in 2007 and qualifying for the semi-finals of
the African Club Championship; Mandigora – a man with a proud record of
experience — appeared not to realize and appreciate the importance of
the players upon whom the club's success was founded.
Veteran midfielder, Desmond Maringwa and Murape Murape have been with
the club from the juniors side, their commitment to Dynamos is
something one cannot second guess.
In such a thrilling derby as the clash against Caps United, these
dedicated players have the picture of what it means to win such a
face-off just as Ashley Rambanapasi of MaKepeKepe knows the pride that
comes with victory of their city rivals.
But when a coach consigns such loyal and dedicated players to the
bench, the players who have been there for the club in trying times,
renewing their contracts first without questioning much about the
rewards, it leaves more questions than answers.
Mandigora even sidelined Norman Maroto, a player who has known only
Dynamos since his High School days when he played for the juniors.
Mandigora might have thought Maroto was excess garbage at Dynamos and
decided not to renew his contract, but the young striker has proved
something of a revelation in the few matches he has featured for
Gunners.
Selection tactics
Yogie's selection tactics came into question again when he sidelined
the experienced goalkeeper Willad Manyatera between the posts for new
signing Munyaradzi Diya.
In some cases when Dynamos was on the back foot needing to score goals,
Mandigora would surprisingly call out a midfielder for a defender. He
preferred to defend and save himself from further humiliation instead
of playing to win.
In contrast to Mandigora's caution first, the positive approach adopted
by Norman Mapeza at Monomotapa last season reaped results when they
were crowned champions ahead of DeMbare and the other so-called
traditional giants.
Monos won the league not only because they had a good coach in Mapeza
but also because they have maintained a consistent side since their
promotion into top-flight football, in 2005.
What DeMbare needs is a consistent team each season, if they are to
dream of winning any titles. They may continue to sign new players as
well as promote others from the junior ranks but the aim must be to
strengthen the squad not to merely more resources for a coach to chop
and change the lineup with every game.
BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU
Post published in: Football