AS Dynamos slipped to their second consecutive defeat after a one-nil defeat away to Castle Lager Premier Soccer League debutants Whawha on Thursday, alarm bells are sounding loud in their camp and speculation over coach David Mandigora’s future is in overdrive.
BY HENRY MHARA
Roy Useni’s goal two minutes from half-time condemned the league champions to a shock defeat, to leave Mandigora’s future hanging by a thread.
The defending champions have collected one point from their last three matches and without scoring a single goal in that period, leaving them five points adrift of log leaders Chicken Inn.
And how soon before the club’s supporters, some of the most demanding in the land, start to pile the pressure on Mandigora, who has to answer to accusations that his team is too defensive and a bore?
The club’s top hierarchy is reportedly unhappy with the team’s recent performances and a source yesterday said they have called Mandigora and his assistants for an emergency meeting to explain the sudden loss of form.
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Rumours are abound that former Warriors and Dynamos coach Sunday Chidzambwa, who is also wanted at ZPC Kariba, is being lined up to take over from the beleaguered coach.
Chidzambwa was previously banned from all football activities by Zifa for alleged match-fixing and his exoneration some few weeks ago has coincided with Dynamos’ poor form — very interesting.
No comment could be obtained from Mandigora yesterday as he was said to be in meetings before he rushed to the team’s afternoon training session.
A tough fixture list, throwing up resurgent FC Platinum next at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow, How Mine, Tsholotsho, Triangle, Kariba and Highlanders in consecutive weeks, now places Mandigora on the edge.
That his side takes on FC Platinum just as they appear to have hit top form, shows that nothing appears to be going Mandigora’s way.
Lose this one, and Mandigora might not live to see another day as Dynamos coach.
FC Platinum have been in scintillating form in their last two league fixtures, smashing Tsholotsho and How Mine for three each. Coach Norman Mapeza yesterday said he would not be carried away by the recent upturn of events in Zvishavane, urging his players to keep a level head.
“Those wins will not mean anything if we lose our next fixture,” Mapeza told NewsDay Sport yesterday.
“We are not looking much into our past results or Dynamos’ current form ,but we will treat the match like how we will treat any other match. It’s a tough match for both sides, but we will do our best to get a result,” added the man who has also been under fire from a section of club supporters before the recent turnaround.
Both teams know that victory will mean a lot more than just the three points. A victory for FC Platinum would not only give Mapeza his first away win of the season, but might also be the boost his side need to kick on and win a flurry of games and get back into contention for the title.
For Dynamos, a win would not only stem their bad run of results after a 3-0 whacking by Chicken Inn last Sunday, but can also save Mandigora’s job, as well as help keep them in touching distance of leaders Chicken Inn and second-placed Triangle.