The famed bay called Vietnam that is harbored at Rufaro, the ceremonial home of football giants, Dynamos – who are regarded as the most supported team in Zimbabwe – stood up to give a robust applause to FC Platinum, a bitter opponent that had won 1-0 yesterday.
REPORT BY JOHN MOKWETSI PICTURES BY AARON UFUMELI
Paulo Silva became the first Dynamos coach to ever visit Rufaro two days after being sacked and supporters chanted his name while Lloyd Mutasa who has taken over on an interim basis endured the wrath of a fanbase that is low on confidence.
Dynamos has gained five points in six matches and the anger has been simmering and culminated into a running battle between police and Dynamos fans.
Dynamos’ secretary general, Webster Chikengezha scurried for cover, but reportedly had the window screen of his upmarket Jeep SUV shattered by the stone throwing supporters who sang deregatory songs directed at him and his President Kenny Mubaiwa.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Dynamos, going into this match, had reached a new low in 14 seasons as statistically, this is their worst ever start since 2002 when Dynamos won against Railstars (1-0) but went on to lose 3-0 (Shabanie), 0-0 (Highlanders) and lost 2-1 to Lancashire.
Dynamos supporters have been supportive of the teams’ leadership choosing to blame coaches but on Sunday amid the stone throwing and a hostage situation in which they barred the team bus from leaving, the script changed to demand the heads of Mubaiwa and Chikengezha.
Police helped by Dynamos bouncers who threw stones at supporters appeared to be winning the battle until thousands flocked at them forcing the police to call for back up.
The hooliganism that shocked passersby spilled into the nearby Pioneer cemetery where some shamelessly vandalized tombstones to use as weapons against the police.
The militant crowd needed teargas to leave Rufaro and it was until then that the Dynamos bus left four hours after the match ended.
Gannie Zigwa who travelled from Bulawayo for the match said:
“What happened yesterday was a great sign of displeasure from supporters and a warning to the executive. We can do anything to them. It is also a sign to tell them they must leave.”
It is a sentiment that is shared by Nickson Mpofu who told NewsDay that the reaction was a wake up call to the executive not to “run Dynamos like a tuckshop banking on the docility of fans.”
While the shadowy but influential Dynamos supporter and owner of the biggest Dynamos group Dembare dotcoms, Va Shagare weighed in by saying:
“The biggest Dilemma at Dynamos is not the executive. We have changed them year in year out but one script has never changed. It is the story of one Bernard Marriott (Chaqirman of the board). The earlier we nip that old man in his bud the better. We can bring any great mind to lead our Dynamos but he won’t succeed as long as the common denominator is Marriott. How can we deal with this Marriott is the biggest dilemma we face as Dynamos FC.”
