We’re still work in progress – Mutasa

WORK IN PROGRESSEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS interim head coach Lloyd Mutasa sees light ahead of him following the important 1-0 win at Tsholotsho at the weekend but he believes the Glamour Boys still need to work hard to move out of the woods in this year’s Castle Lager Premiership soccer campaign.

Mutasa, who was under the spotlight after losing his first match in charge to FC Platinum last week, was greatly relieved on Saturday when Ocean Mushure scored from the penalty spot at Barbourfields to give the Glamour Boys their second win in seven starts.

The former midfielder heaped praises on his charges after the hard-fought win which he believes will boost their confidence going forward. This was his first win in two games that he has been in charge of the team.

However, the DeMbare coach believes there is still a lot more work to be done when they resume their training this week ahead of the blockbuster clash with traditional rivals Highlanders this weekend.

DeMbare are looking for a fresh start after parting ways with Portuguese expatriate Paulo Jorge Silva who had presided over the team’s worst ever start to a season until he was fired two weeks ago.

“We had not won for sometime and it was good to get the maximum points. In my view this was a great confidence booster but now we have to try and have that element of consistency. We need to win games consistently going forward,” said Mutasa.

“I am happy with the workmanship demonstrated by these guys in the game against Tsholotsho. It was never going to be an easy assignment.

“The game was closely contested but credit should go to the boys because they showed that hunger for victory. I liked the element of teamwork in the side.

“The boys fought hard for it. We attacked as a unit and the defence was resolute, especially in the second half when Tsholotsho came back and threw everything at us. I am sure these boys can testify that it was not an easy match.”

DeMbare treasured the win as they failed to beat the minnows in their debut season last year after both matches ended in draws.

But Mushure was the saviour on Saturday when he converted an early penalty when Tsholotsho defender Thando Ncube was adjudged to have fouled Farai Mupasiri inside the box.

Mupasiri, who had a fallout with previous coach Silva, was making his first start for Dynamos after missing action for a month because of disciplinary issues.

The sixth minute goal sealed maximum points as DeMbare had to hang on for the remainder of the match.

However, Dynamos, who occupied eighth position overnight, returned to the bottom half of the table with eight points from seven starts following yesterday’s games.

Mutasa would be happy nonetheless because they leapfrogged Tsholotsho, Mutare City and Chapungu into 12th place.

The Harare giants had last won a match last month when they beat struggling newboys Mutare City 2-1 at Sakubva.

Mutasa told The Herald yesterday that the win at Barbourfields should restore the sense of belief in his team, especially against the background of the riots that erupted at Rufaro after their 1-0 loss to FC Platinum in their last home assignment.

The defeat had condemned them to second from the bottom of the table and their supporters were not amused by the poor run.

The crisis also torched boardroom anxiety when a faction led by Ernest Kamba called a crisis meeting of all former Dynamos players set for this weekend to put their house in order.

Mutasa was given five games by the team’s executive led by Kenny Mubaiwa to turn around the fortunes of the side. A decision will be made basing on the results whether to give him the job or to find a replacement.

The former midfielder said he is focused on his task and is positive he will achieve the target.

“We need to keep our feet on the ground. We have to go back to the drawing board and work on some areas and who knows? Probably we will win the next match and the next one again.

“But we have to take it one game at a time. Now we focus our attention on our next match against Highlanders at home. We will start preparing for it tomorrow (today) and hopefully we will have all our players fit. Our only worry last week was Roderick Mutuma who was injured,” said Mutasa.

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