DESPERATE Dynamos have engaged former midfielder Philemon
Mutyakureva in negotiations to take over the reins at the club in their fight
to stay afloat following the sacking of Lloyd Mutasa yesterday.
Dynamos finally lost patience with Mutasa and gave him the
boot for the second time this season and third in his coaching career at the
ailing Harare giants.
The club’s chiefs recalled juniors coach Lloyd Chigowe to
take interim charge of the team ahead of their tough Premiership away
assignment against champions FC Platinum at Mandava on Saturday.
Chigowe will be assisted by his deputy in the Under-17 side
and former club captain Murape Murape.
But it emerged that DeMbare’s main target is Mutyakureva.
Mutyakureva, who was assistant coach to Callisto Pasuwa for
three of the four trailblazing seasons when the Glamour Boys last won the
league title, is tipped to take over the job with the mandate to save the side
from sinking into relegation.
Close sources yesterday said talks to bring back
Mutyakureva as head coach and goalkeeper specialist Ephraim Mazarura were
almost complete, with the pair expected to officially commence duties on
Monday.
Mutasa and his assistant coach Joseph Takaringofa, who was
barely been a month into the job, were shown the exit following a miserable run
in this year’s campaign.
Goalkeepers’ coach Zondai Nyaungwa, Mutasa’s trusted
lieutenant, was also kicked out but team manager Richard Chihoro survived the
purge.
The writing has always been on the wall for Mutasa and
Wednesday’s goalless home draw against newboys Bulawayo Chiefs, which dragged
the team deeper in the relegation mix, was the final straw.
This is the second time this year that the former
midfielder has been fired by the Glamour Boys because of poor results.
Mutasa was sacked by the previous executive led by Kenny Mubaiwa
in June this year, but the club’s board of directors overturned the decision.
However, Mutasa only managed three wins from 11 games since
his return and with relegation becoming a strong possibility, the Dynamos
executive yesterday wielded the axe on the coach.
It is the third time that the Warriors assistant has been
fired at Dynamos, having been axed in 2011 before DeMbare went on a
trailblazing run under Mutasa’s successor Callisto Pasuwa during which they won
four successive championships. Ironically Dynamos have not met with any success
since Pasuwa’s departure and the former Warriors coach has snubbed overtures
for him to return to the club.
Dynamos chairman Isaiah Mupfurutsa yesterday said his
leadership had given the coach the space and support he needed in the hope of
seeing a turnaround of fortunes.
But with the season now approaching its business end, the
Harare giants find themselves jostling for survival alongside teams like
Bulawayo Chiefs, Nichrut, Yadah and Chapungu.
Dynamos are currently 13th on the log standings with 31
points from 27 starts. The executive felt the situation had reached
unacceptable levels, hence the decision to pull the plug.
“I think you are all aware that Dynamos is sitting in a
position that is not usual to it. It’s a position which is not acceptable and
it’s a very embarrassing position.
“The technical team which was there was given enough space,
enough time and enough resources for it to perform.
“The players that are in the Dynamos squad, all of them, were
registered basing on his (Mutasa’s) recommendation. He actually attracted these
players and the club was simply awarding whatever the coaches recommended.
“The same applies to the technical team. The assistant who
was there was his choice. The executive has never involved itself in team
selection. It has never involved in whatever decision that has to do with the
team in terms of preparations and performance except whatever they requested.
“I think what is availed to the club is sufficient enough
(to cater for all the basic requirements). We have got a sponsor (Netone) who
is paying the salaries that are all up to date for the players. We have got a
sponsor (Nyaradzo) that is giving us transport.
“But with all these resources available, the results still
were not coming. We can’t really say he is not a good coach but I think it was
just not his time, it was not his year and we felt that we needed to do
something about it, probably change the voice in the dressing room and this is
what we have done exactly,” said Mupfurutsa.
The incoming technical team have another tough test
awaiting them as the rescheduled Harare Derby against CAPS United is also still
on the cards.
They will also play Black Rhinos, Herentals, Triangle and
Mutare City in Harare and then travel to Nichrut for the last match of the
season at Ascot.
Mupfurutsa said Mutasa had left them in a difficult
position.
The former midfielder led Dynamos to a credible second
place finish in the Castle Lager Premiership race last season.
However, both the coach and the team have failed to
reproduce the same feat. Herald
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