RODERICK Mutuma’s future at Dynamos is in disarray, with the club management and coaches growing increasingly frustrated by his catalogue of misdemeanors.
BY HENRY MHARA
The temperamental striker was shown a straight red-card in his team’s 2-1 defeat by Highlanders in the Easycall Cup semifinal at Barbourfields Stadium for kicking at Bosso’s striker Ralph Matema — in the latest episode of his errant behaviour.
Had it not been for an appeal against suspension, Mutuma and his strike partner, Takesure Chinyama would have missed the match following a four match ban relating to an incident where they charged at and insulted referee, Philani Ncube after Dynamos lost to Harare City in the Chibuku Super final in October.
However, the gangly striker, who scored Dynamos’ only goal in Sunday’s match, failed to last the duration of the game, when he kicked Matema, in retaliation for being pulled back by the striker with a minute remaining on the clock.
It is also alleged that Mutuma spat at Matema.
Match day referee, Ruzive Ruzive, who handled the high pressure match well, produced a straight red card, while Matema saw yellow for his troubles.
Dynamos coach, Tonderai Ndiraya expressed anger at the way his striker got himself sent off for the senseless foul, conduct which has drawn widespread condemnation from football fans and administrators.
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The club’s hierarchy, who stood by Mutuma throughout last week to ensure he played on Sunday, and even threatening a tournament boycott, felt betrayed by the striker.
Secretary-general Webster Chikengezha yesterday said they would sit next week to decide on the course of action.
“It’s a slap in the face for some of us. Nobody is happy with his behaviour and as a club we don’t condone such,” he said.
“It just happened yesterday (Sunday) so we have not yet decided anything. We will meet as a club next week and see what we can do about it.”
Ndiraya is believed to be ready to release the striker in the off-season if he retains his post as Dynamos coach, as he seeks to shape his team for better performances and results next season.
“I didn’t expect something like that from a senior player like him, especially after the circus throughout the week. The management fought for him to get back into the team, but then he goes on and gets a silly red card. We will have to sit down and do something about it. We can’t allow that kind of behaviour,” he said.
Some sources suggested that after the match, Ndiraya gave Mutuma a tongue lashing in the dressing room, clearly frustrated after he too had fought in the player’s corner last week.
Mutuma was also involved in a training bust-up with Chinyama in September this year when the duo had a verbal exchange before they almost exchanged blows.
He was also involved in a brawl, with Black Rhinos defender Obey Gada in the two teams’ Chibuku Cup match on August 18 last year.
Three days later, he was involved in another altercation with former Dynamos captain Murape Murape, a development that briefly cost Mutuma his Dynamos career, as he was shipped out of the club to join bitter rivals, Caps United, before he was later pardoned.
