Dynamos chairman Keni Mubaiwa says his executive will not be pressurised by the Premier Soccer League club’s supporters to fire coach Kalisto Pasuwa.
Mubaiwa’s comments came after a section of a militant Dynamos fans mobbed him after the team’s 1-0 loss to Harare City in a league match at Rufaro Stadium on Wednesday.
The supporters, who were clearly irritated by the team’s overall performance let alone the defeat by the league debutants, chanted and sang obscene songs calling for Pasuwa’s immediate sacking.
Mubaiwa looked terrified as the mob closed in on him at the stadium’s main entrance.
The Harare businessman was rescued by the police who quickly moved in to disperse the rowdy elements.
Mubaiwa yesterday described the reaction by the fans as “deplorable and embarrassing” to his office. He also alleged an underhand plot by a third force who he said want to destabilise the team.
“Those were not our supporters, but some hooligans who are paid to destabilise the team. What they did was very deplorable and I don’t think any right-minded supporter could do such a thing. I felt very embarrassed by their behaviour,” said Mubaiwa. He added: “We know of a plot by some individuals who are paying those hooligans to cause confusion in the team, but we will not allow that.
“They want us to fire Pasuwa, but that will not happen. We are in the middle of the season and there is no way we can have another coach to start over again at this stage. The team is fine but there are some few things that need to be rectified, and not the technical team.
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“People should remember that he is the same coach who won us the league championship with that same squad, so for me he is still good enough.”
Although he expressed satisfaction with the quality of the current squad, Mubaiwa said they would open the cheque book during the July transfer window.
“We are happy with the squad but like in any normal team there will be some weak areas which the coach has said need to be beefed up. He has already forwarded the names of the players he needs and we are looking into it. Negotiations with some of the players have already begun,” he said.
While Dynamos are planning to raid fellow Premier League teams of players, recent media reports have also linked some of their stars to South Africa.
Takesure Chinyama has been heavily linked to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates with some suggesting that the deal is as good as done, while Denver Mukamba is rumoured to be heading to Pretoria University.
Goalkeeper Washington Arubi is linked with Bloemfontein Celtic and Black Leopards while Rodreck Mutuma is reportedly wanted by Mamelodi Sundowns.
Pasuwa will come under scrutiny again on Sunday when Dynamos clash with bogey side Gunners at Lafarge Stadium.
Another loss and the coach could be in big trouble. The two will go into the match level on 14 points although Dynamos, whose result against Hwange has been nullified, have two games in hand.
The match between Caps United and Buffaloes which had initially been set for Saturday at the National Sports Stadium has been moved to Sunday at the same venue.
It will be a clash of the league’s current top performers.
Caps United are the form team at the moment having won their previous four matches to move from the relegation zone to fourth position on the log with 17 points while Buffaloes, on the same number of points as their opponents, have also been collecting points almost at will.
The Premiership returnees have won four of their last five matches, the last one being a drawn match against Gunners.
Tomorrow, Highlanders engage Motor Action at Rufaro Stadium looking to extend their lead at the top of the log.
The relegation scrap continues with 15th-placed Quelaton, with four points hosting 14th-placed Hardbody, who are three points better than their opposition at Luveve Stadium.
