INTERIM Dynamos coach, Lloyd Mutasa began his reign by driving a sword through the heart of his predecessor, Jorge Paulo Silva, whom he said was responsible for the club’s loss of form and his own downfall Mutasa, fired at Dynamos in 2011 has five matches to prove his mettle.
BY HENRY MHARA
The former Dynamos midfielder, in an interview with NewsDaySport yesterday, said Silva was caustic and caused rifts that ultimately cost his job.
Mutasa revealed that Silva barred him from talking to goalkeepers’ coach, Gift Muzadzi, who the Portuguese had an altercation with over sabotage allegations, something he said caused disunity in the team.
“The coach was not comfortable seeing me talking to the goalkeepers’ coach. That was his philosophy,” he said.
“But for me, all I wanted was for us to work as a team, because together we can achieve more. For him to say I should not talk to the goalkeepers’ coach (was not good), what if he (Muzadzi) was also going to say don’t talk to the coach. Do you think it was going to be proper? They say united you stand and divided you fall.”
Silva’s two-year contract was cancelled by Dynamos on Thursday to end a four month long tumultuous and explosive relationship.
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The temperamental Silva — clearly the Dark Lord Sauron in Dynamos’ dramatic season so far — also had altercations with players, as well as journalists. He also made referees his enemies, which together with poor results, could have contributed to his early departure.
Mutasa, who was Silva’s assistant, was picked to take over on an interim basis and the fellowship with Muzadzi has been restored, as the dreadlocked former DeMbare star resumes his duties as an assistant coach following his suspension.
“The only thing I could do as an assistant was to try and bring harmony to the team and make people around me realise that football is a team sport, no one can do it alone. I played my part because every time I saw things getting out of hand, I would try to assist, but then you can only go that far. It boils down to an individual, whether he can take it or not. Like now, I am the head coach, but its only just but a tag. I still need assistance from all my backroom staff because they might know better than I do. You need each other in this set-up to succeed; that is key,” he said.
Mutasa has been given five matches to prove his suitability for the post.
The first of Mutasa’s five matches will be against FC Platinum at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow, followed by a trip to Tsholotsho. Highlanders will then visit Rufaro, before Mutasa and his team travel to Gweru to face Chapungu. The fifth match will be a home encounter against Ngezi Platinum.
Mutasa, who hopes he can be more powerful in his second coming as Dynamos coach like Gandalf the Grey, said he is prepared to tackle the big task ahead of him.
“I want results to speak for me. I will take it game by game and my immediate focus is on FC Platinum. They are a very good side that hasn’t lost a match yet. We know we have a tough match on our hands, but we have to prepare and play them because there is no easy fixture in the premier league,” he said.
“Coaching Dynamos, the biggest team in the country is a big task but that is the reason we went to school and want to be part of this great institution. We know what is involved and what the fans want, so we will have to work hard to get the results that will please them. I will do my outmost best to do my work as a professional coach for the best and betterment of the club.”
Mutasa said Silva’s departure has had very little effect on the squad morale.
“I never saw anyone dropping his head. All the players were giving their best at training and it was actually difficult for us to choose the final 18 because everyone wants to give it a go.”
Besides Valentine Ndaba, who is still in rehabilitation following an accident a few weeks ago, Mutasa announced a clean bill of health in squad.
Fixtures
Today: How Mine v Caps United (Luveve), Harare City v Tsholotsho (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum v Highlanders (Baobab), ZPC Kariba v Mutare City (Nyamhunga)
Tomorrow: Border Strikers v Hwange (Maglas), Bulawayo City v Chapungu (Barbourfields), Dynamos v FC Platinum (Rufaro)
