48 hours: How Mangombe’s Babourfields blueprint became his Dynamos farewell
After guiding Dynamos to a 1-1 draw against old foes Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium last Sunday, Genesis Mangombe was looking ahead to the future.
Having stabilized DeMbare with 30 points from their opening 18 games, sixth on the log and ten behind defending champions and log leaders Scottland, the future was definitely looking bright.
The youthful coach spoke to Fanzone after the game and unbeknown to him, it would be his last interview as Dynamos coach.
He was full of praise for his charges, especially Ghanaian import Frank Agyemang, who brilliantly restored parity against Bosso, to take his season tally to nine.
“He is one of those players responding to what we want and he is making the team click,” Mangombe said.
He also spoke glowingly of defender Abel Gwatidzo and winger Leroy Mavhunga, saying the duo is part of the “average team” that was applying tactics and turning last season’s scoring woes into a strength.
“We are now scoring in almost each and every game and we are one of the most scoring teams in the league,” said Mangombe.
Last season Dynamos escaped relegation by a whisker, all thanks to Zambian mentor Kelvin Kaindu, who then left for ambitious Premiership debutants Hardrock.
This year, Dynamos opted for Mangombe, who had just left Triangle United after helping the Sugar Boys avoid relegation.
Eighteen games in and he looked to be steering the ship.
With Agyemang chasing Ralph Kawondera in the golden boot race and Jairos Kasondo adding six goals of his own, Mangombe was already looking ahead to bolstering his squad when the winter break opens on July 1.
Sources privy to ongoings at Dembare revealed that Congolese striker Precy Mbuilu’s deal was finalized and awaiting a work permit, while attacking midfielder Calum English-Brown remained stuck on his International Transfer Certificate.
But alas, the Vincent Chawonza-led Dynamos executivive sprung up a joker.
Less than 48 hours after that Babourfields battle, they dismissed Mangombe and placed him under suspension, citing a host of allegations ranging from the use of juju to match fixing.
In a letter addressed to the Mangombe, the club’s Board of Directors said the suspension would pave way for investigations into complaints by players including goalkeeper Idrissou Nfor Finiar, who alleged Mangombe forced players to bath in ‘juju’ before games and withheld kits for rituals.
The letter also cited match manipulation claims relating to the 5-0 Castle Challenge Cup loss to Scotland FC, the Charity Shield defeat to Highlanders, the 2-2 draw with Hunters, and the 2-1 loss to CAPS United.
These match fixing allegations have raised the ire of the Premier Soccer League, who have since sent communication to Dembare to “explain” themselves.
Mangombe is also accused of insubordination at Glamis Arena on June 18, where he allegedly told Executive members that he no longer wanted to continue as head coach before walking away.
How things change fast, fast indeed.
One minute, one is plotting how to close a ten-point gap on Scottland in the second half, the next you are barred from training sessions, matches, and official club events pending an investigation.
The Harare giants are set to appoint a Romanian national Aristică Cioabă, as head coach.
Cioabă was spotted at Babourfields Stadium and was also pictured conducting yesterday’s training session at Glamis.
So Mangombe leaves with 30 points, the second best attack in the league (27 goals), and a blueprint for the second half.
But his vision for Chazunguza will now be delivered by someone else.
Football dynamics in Zimbabwe move fast, in 48 hours a coach can go from planning transfers to being prohibited from contacting players.
DeMbare’s ship that Mangombe said he had stabilized will sail on but just without the captain who charted the course out of last season’s storm.
