DYNAMOS staunch supporter Chris “Romario” Musekiwa has said the players should derive pride from playing for the popular Harare giants.
DeMbare have had a disappointing start to new league campaign, and the 1-0 defeat away to Simba Bhora on Sunday left them eight points off the log leaders Highlanders after six rounds of matches.
Dynamos play the league leaders in the Independence Cup final in Murambinda today, with a chance to appease their fan base which is becoming increasingly restless due to the team's current woeful form.
Dynamos return to league action on Sunday against sixth placed TelOne at Rufaro Stadium in a match coach Genesis Mangombe cannot afford to drop points.
Mangombe's men have started the season horribly, winning just once against promoted side Bikita Minerals, drawing thrice and losing twice.
Romario, who was part of a huge crowd that packed Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva on Sunday, said he was left disappointed with the lack of fighting spirit from the players after they had conceded a first half stoppage time goal from Walter Musona.
The goal came against the run of play as the visitors produced one of their strongest displays of the season in the first 45 minutes but were not clinical enough before Musona showed them how it is done with a slick goal.
"We had an upper hand for most of the first half in that match," Romario recalled.
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"We were in total control; we were moving the ball around nicely and Simba were chasing shadows. That is when we should have capitalised on the chances that came our way. While the Simba goalkeeper Talbert Shumba made some spectacular saves, we could have scored one or two goals in the first half."
After the dominant first half display, Dynamos looked lethargic in the second half.
"In football, they say the second half belongs to the coach and I must admit our coach was beaten tactically, hands down. (Simba Bhora coach) Tonderai Ndiraya made a couple of tactical changes and his team's style of play improved, and as a result, we were outplayed in the second half."
The self-acclaimed Dynamos number one fan challenged the players to show a never-say-die spirit and zeal to "fight for the blue badge" to be able to turn around their season.
"While the technical bench showed their flaws tactically, my biggest worry was the lack of zeal from the players. With the support that the players received from the fans on the day, I expected to see more from them,” he said.
“The noise from the stands was unbelievable and that alone should have pushed any player to do more. The players should feel proud to be playing for Dynamos, to fight and defend the blue badge, but unfortunately I did not see that. We have not seen that from the team lately. It is lacking in the current crop of players and it is very frustrating for us the fans. In the second half, it appeared that the players had given up already.
“It looked like they were determined to avoid conceding another goal, more than anything else. This is not the Dynamos we want. Dynamos never give up. These guys must raise their game. Either they shape up, or they ship out. That goes for the coaches as well."
Meanwhile, Dynamos and Highlanders travelled to Murambinda with their first team squads for the Independence Cup clash.
Matchday seven fixtures
Saturday: FC Platinum v Bikita Minerals (Mandava). ZPC Kariba v Arenel Movers (Nyamhunga), GreenFuel v Herentals (GreenFuel Arena), Yadah v Chegutu Pirates (Heart Stadium).
Sunday: Manica Diamonds v Caps United (Sakubva), Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields), Hwange v Ngezi Platinum (Colliery), Dynamos v TelOne (Rufaro), Bulawayo Chiefs v Simba Bhora (Luveve).
