DYNAMOS head coach Genesis Mangombe is banking on the familiar surroundings of Barbourfields Stadium to reignite his side’s scoring touch when they face a wounded Chicken Inn in a high-stakes Premier League clash in Bulawayo tomorrow.
Despite being the only unbeaten side in the first nine matches of the season, the Glamour Boys arrive in the City of Kings under a cloud of frustration.
Three consecutive draws—two of them scoreless—have seen DeMbare slip into fourth place with 17 points.
While their defensive solidity is unquestionable, the lack of killer instinct upfront is beginning to test the patience of the Blue Army.
However, Mangombe is unfazed by the away tag, choosing to view Barbourfields—a stadium Dynamos frequently used as a home base in recent seasons—as their own turf.
“Every team in the Premier League nowadays is very, very difficult to play with. And you don’t count on the points before you play,” Mangombe noted.
“So it’s very difficult that we are going to play away. But at the same time, when playing in Bulawayo, Barbourfields seems to be our favourite hunting ground.
“For some time, we used it as our home ground. We are used to it and we have been posting good results when we play at BF.”
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The coach is also counting on the vocal Bulawayo faithful to tip the scales in their favour.
“We are happy with the atmosphere there and also the welcome from the supporters.
“So I don’t see any difficulty in terms of our support base and also the way we want to play.”
While Dynamos struggle to find the net, their defensive record is exemplary.
Mangombe highlighted the growth of his backline as a foundation for success, even if the strikers are currently firing blanks.
“I think we are on the right track. We are doing very well. There are so many positives in what we are doing and also the way we are playing.
“We are creating chances, which is also a major problem to many teams. But now when we create chances, it’s now for the players to have that confidence and composure in front of goal,” Mangombe explained.
“The other good thing also I am impressed with is that we are not losing games and at the same time, we are not conceding goals.
“We are really doing well in terms of defending and the combination is coming up. If you see our backline at the moment, I am happy that they are solid.
“But as of us not conceding, we also have to try and score so that the games won’t be difficult for us.”
The stakes are arguably higher for Chicken Inn.
Currently languishing in ninth place with 12 points, the GameCocks are reeling from back-to-back derby losses against Highlanders (3-1) and Bulawayo Chiefs (2-0).
Another defeat would heap immense pressure on coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
Having joined Chicken Inn after an incredible run of back-to-back titles with Simba Bhora (2024) and Scottland FC (2025), Ndiraya is finding the transition to the Bulawayo side significantly tougher than expected.
History, however, favours the hosts.
Chicken Inn have turned into a bogey team for the Harare giants, winning all three of their most recent encounters.
Last season, DeMbare were soundly beaten 3-0 in Bulawayo and suffered a 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture in Harare.
The trend stretches back to 2024, where Dynamos managed a 0-0 draw in Bulawayo, but fell 1-0 in the capital.
DeMbare’s last victory against the GameCocks dates back to November 2023 — a 2-1 win that secured a rare league double over them.
Mangombe will be hoping that the “home” comforts of Barbourfields tomorrow can finally break the hoodoo and turn those frustrating draws into three vital points.
