Dynamos coach Mangombe under pressure as season stutters

 

Patience Muchemwa

Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe finds himself in the spotlight once more as his side faces a stern test against Manica Diamonds in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match this coming Sunday.

 The 2024 season has been far from ideal for the Harare giants, nicknamed "The Glamour Boys." With only four wins in 15 matches, they languish in seventh place, a staggering 11 points behind league leaders FC Platinum. This dismal run has seen Mangombe lose favor with the Dynamos faithful.The Dynamos' struggles are evident in their lopsided record. They've managed eight draws but have also fallen three times, most notably to bitter rivals Highlanders and FC Platinum.  Their wins have come exclusively against newly promoted teams, failing to impress against established competition.

 Mangombe himself acknowledges the pressure, stating, "Every game at Dynamos, I am under pressure. The fans want us to win games and as the coach, I need to win the games." A victory against title contenders Manica Diamonds could be a turning point for Mangombe, but a loss is likely to further intensify the fans' discontent.

While Mangombe shoulders much of the blame, other coaches are feeling the heat as well. Highlanders' Kelvin Kaindu is in a similar situation, overseeing a string of draws that have left their supporters restless.

 

Caps United, another giant of Zimbabwean football, mirrors Dynamos' struggles. Currently sitting in ninth place, they'll be looking to bounce back from a draw against TelOne when they host Chegutu Pirates this weekend.