Yogi salutes Pasuwa A NEW DIRECTION . . . Dynamos president Kenny Mubaiwa (right) speaks to the media as he introduces the team’s new coaching staff (from left) assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya and head coach David Mandigora, while club treasurer Webster Marechera follows the address at a Press conference in Harare yesterday
A NEW DIRECTION . . . Dynamos president Kenny Mubaiwa (right) speaks to the media as he introduces the team’s new coaching staff (from left) assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya and head coach David Mandigora, while club treasurer Webster Marechera follows the address at a Press conference in Harare yesterday

A NEW DIRECTION . . . Dynamos president Kenny Mubaiwa (right) speaks to the media as he introduces the team’s new coaching staff (from left) assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya and head coach David Mandigora, while club treasurer Webster Marechera follows the address at a Press conference in Harare yesterday

Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter—
DAVID “Yogi’’ Mandigora has saluted Callisto Pasuwa and admitted that he will be under immense pressure to match the standards set by the outgoing Dynamos coach. Mandigora will begin his second spell as DeMbare coach at the beginning of next month and the veteran gaffer acknowledged it will be a tall order to match the standards set by Pasuwa. As widely expected, Mandigora was officially unveiled as the new DeMbare coach at a brief function in the capital yesterday.

But the 2007 championship winner is under no illusions at the task that awaits him.

The former Warriors assistant coach took charge of Dynamos between 2006 and 2009 guiding them to a League and Cup double in 2007 and a place in the 2008 Champions League semi-finals.

Mandigora then stepped down in 2009 after an indifferent start to the season with Elvis “Chuchu’’ Chiweshe replacing him.

While Chiweshe did well to lead Dynamos to the group stages of the 2010 Champions League, it is the record set by Pasuwa from 2011 to this year which has set new benchmarks for Mandigora and all the Premiership coaches.

Pasuwa turned Dynamos into serial champions, winning the ultimate prize on the domestic scene in each of the seasons he was in charge and the outgoing coach, whose contract officially expires on December 31, also ensured the Harare giants retained their dominance in the knockout tournaments.

He won the Mbada Diamonds Cup twice in the three-year lifespan of the competition as well as several other competitions that were on offer.

Mandigora, who was flanked by Kenny Mubaiwa, who has been elevated to club president, secretary-general Webster Chikengezha, returning assistant Tonderai Ndiraya, retained team manager Richard Chihoro and the team’s medical crew, paid tribute to Pasuwa for the success he achieved with DeMbare in the last four years.

While he ended Dynamos’ 10-year wait for a championship in 2007, Mandigora returns to the club with a mandate to ensure they extend their dominance in the Castle Lager Premiership in 2015 by making it a fifth successive title.

The seasoned coach, Zimbabwe’s Soccer Star in 1980, however, said he was ready for the challenge that awaits him.

Mandigora said he will be up for the challenge but has no idea about which players he will be working with.

“I know how demanding the Dynamos coaching job is and I am up for the challenge,” said Mandigora.

“As a coach, one always wants to get big challenges like playing well in the Champions League but it’s unfortunate that the executive has told us that we cannot afford to play there next year.

“So we respect that but we would have loved to play in the Champions League.”

Mubaiwa said they were happy to bring on board someone like Mandigora, who knows the club very well.

“We are happy to announce that Mandigora will be in charge of the team next season and we expect them to continue from where Pasuwa left off,” said Mubaiwa.

“We have faith in the coach and, after our evaluation, we settled for him and we hope he will do the job for us.”

The coaches were selected for the job that drew the interest of some foreign coaches — two Australians, two Zambians, two Nigerians and one Belgian.

The team did not unveil the other assistant coach, who is believed to be Biggie Zuze.

The Triangle coach is winding his contract at the Lowveld side and cannot be named until his marriage with the team is officially over.

Goalkeepers’ coach Nkululeko Dhlamini is said to have turned down the offer to replace Tichaona Diya, who is now set to bounce back in his old role.

Ndiraya said he was happy to be back at Dynamos after two seasons in the wilderness.

“It’s a good feeling to be back. It’s not so long when I left. I think I am part of the success to the team after helping in the first two championships,” said Ndiraya.

“I hope to maintain the same beat together with Mandigora, now who is the new coach.”

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