HARARE - Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa Hailed as the Perp Guardiola of Zimbabwean football when he was appointed coach to replace departed Elvis Chiweshe at the beginning of the season, Mutasa is struggling to live up to the expectations of the Glamour Boys who had pinned their hopes on the former DeMbare midfield star to steer their ship to the winners podium after more than three years of playing the bridesmaids role in the championship race.
On Sunday, Dynamos were shocked 1-0 by Zimbabwe Saints after Abraham Mubaiwa converted a penalty that deflated the Harare giants’ hopes and left Mutasa at the mercy of a militant section of the team’s fans who booed him after the match.
Understandably, the fans feel betrayed by the man in whom they had invested their trust after he impressed with the beauty of his passing game during his tenure as Kiglon coach last season – a period during which he beat all the big guns of domestic football including DeMbare.
His job is now the subject of debate both in the press and in the stands. But Mutasa believes he will deliver if the teams fans are a little patient with him.
“We have not been consistent to be honest,” said Mutasa in an interview with The Zimbabwean ******* this week. “But I think we still have room to pick ourselves up and bounce back into contention. I know there are great expectations from the fans. I knew this before I took over the job and my aim is to win something for the team.”
Dynamos, who last won the championship in 2007, are lying in seventh position on the log with 11 points from as many matches. They have won three, drawn two and lost two.
The Harare giants will need to raise their game when they face troubled former champions Gunners, this weekend.
The going has been tough for Chando Kupisa who are anchoring the log table having either lost or draw their matches with no taste of victory since the league kicked off in March.
Defending champions Motor Action remain in charge on the top of the table and will need to tread with caution this weekend when they face Zimbabwe Saints, who opened a surprise package for DeMbare last weekend.
Week 9 fixture: Saturday-FC Platinum vs Chicken Inn FC (Maglas Stadium), Kiglon FC vs Black Mambas FC (Gwanzura Stadium), Monomotapa FC vs Shabanie FC (Rufaro Stadium), Motor Action FC vs Zimbabwe Saints (Motor Action Stadium) Sunday-Hwange FC vs Blue Ribbon FC (Colliery Stadium), Highlanders FC vs Caps United FC (Babourfields Stadium), Masvingo United FC vs Shooting Stars FC (Mucheke Stadium), Dynamos FC vs Gunners FC (Rufaro Stadium.)
Post published in: Football