Coach Kalisto Pasuwa’s future at Dynamos was in major doubt with revelations that the club’s executive yesterday held a crisis meeting to review the team’s recent performances.
The Harare football giants drew 0-0 against InterClube of Angola in the Caf Confederation Cup on Sunday and unless they win or play a scoring draw in the return leg in two weeks, they will be booted out.
Sources confided to NewsDay Sport that the Keni Mubaiwa-led executive was not happy with the direction the team had taken of late and were ready to show Pasuwa the exit door. Moses Chunga’s name has been thrown into the hat as a possible replacement for the under-fire gaffer while Lloyd Mutasa, who was replaced by Pasuwa, could make a sensational return.
“The meeting is on at the moment,” said a source late yesterday afternoon. “There are numerous issues that are being discussed, but the team’s recent performance is top of the agenda. Some of the executive members want Pasuwa to be relieved of his duties but others want to wait until the end of the season. They are also discussing the impending departure of some of the players and also the players they want to buy in the transfer window,” added the source.
Mubaiwa last week came out publicly in full support of the beleaguered coach.
Dynamos crashed out of the Caf Champions League in humiliating fashion and their performance in the domestic league has not been inspiring.
Their performance against InterClube was equally lifeless, prompting yesterday’s emergency meeting. No comment could be obtained from the Dynamos executive members last night as their mobile phones went unanswered but committee member Simon Sachiti hinted on the meeting.
“I can’t confirm if it’s a crisis meeting or it’s their usual meetings, but I understand a meeting was called in the morning,” said Sachiti. Another source yesterday revealed that the executive actually wanted to fire Pasuwa last week.
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“The plan was to fire him before the Gunners match but they couldn’t do it because one of the executive members was in South Africa. A decision had already been made on the eve of the match and assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya was supposed to take over as they look for a replacement. I understand they have been talking to Moses Chunga and Samaita (Mutasa),” said the source.
NewsDay Sport gathered secretary-general Raymond Kazembe is the executive member who was in South Africa on personal business. Chunga last week resigned from his coaching duties at struggling Black Mambas, heightening the speculation that he is heading for Dynamos. Pasuwa said he was not aware of the “crisis meeting”.
“I don’t know about that. If it’s happening, maybe they are holding it somewhere because I am currently at our offices at the National Sports Stadium and there is no such meeting. I have just been advised that we have a midweek game so I am here to call the players to report for a training session in the evening (yesterday evening),” said Pasuwa yesterday.
Dynamos travel to Luveve Stadium for a fixture against basement side Quelaton.
The only good news for Dynamos is that all their stars, save for the suspended Denver Mukamba, will be available for the match.
However, Pasuwa has a huge task ahead of him to psyche up his players especially those who are linked with South African moves. Goalkeeper Washington Arubi has been linked with a move to Pretoria University while Mukamba and Takesure Chinyama are reportedly heading for Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates respectively.
A South African soccer website SoccerLaduma yesterday reported that Pretoria University are also interested in striker Rodreck Mutuma.
While Arubi and Mukamba’s commitment on Sunday was unquestionable as they gave it their all, it was Chinyama’s performance that left much to be desired.
After his storming start to the season, Chinyama seems to have lost all the enthusiasm to play for Dynamos.
