Mangwiro, Yogi, Mafu under fire
By Blessings Mashaya
HARARE – Following a string of poor performances by their clubs, three Castle Lager Premiership coaches — David Mandigora (Dynamos), Bongani Mafu (Highlanders) and Harare City’s Taurai Mangwiro — find themselves in pressure cooker atmospheres.
Dynamos’ performances has been below par this season and the whole team is struggling for form save for some few individuals like Ronald Chitiyo, Ocean Mushure and goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva.
On Sunday, the Harare giants produced another shambolic display and were lucky to escape with a point against visiting Hwange.
The result left fans baying for Mandigora’s blood and blocked the Rufaro Stadium main entrance singing obscenities directed at the coach before they were dispersed by police.
Against the coalminers, DeMbare lacked quality, especially in midfield where they missed the injured Chitiyo and suspended Stephen Alimenda.
Even starting with the returning Roderick Mutuma and new signing Richard Kawondera upfront failed to spark DeMbare into life.
In their previous six games, the Glamour Boys have only been able to collect maximum points against Highlanders.
Prior to their win against Bosso, the defending champions registered three consecutive draws against Tsholotsho, Triangle and ZPC Kariba.
Mandigora has also missed his mid-season target of which he was required to garner at least 30 points.
At the moment, the Glamour Boys are in fourth place on the log with 28 points from 16 matches.
After spending vastly during the off-season, Harare City find themselves in seventh place with 23 points and leaving Mangwiro in a precarious position.
On Saturday, the Sunshine Boys played out to a 2-2 draw against an improved Flame Lilly at Rufaro which was their eighth of the season.
City fans have now turned against their coach and were singing anti-Mangwiro songs at the end of the match.
They also had to be removed from the venue by police as they waylaid the Sunshine Boys team bus.
However, Mangwiro said there was no need for him to press the panic button yet.
“Look, our target is to finish in the top six and I don’t know the pressure you are talking of; we are still in the right direction in as far as our target is concerned,” he said.
Highlanders coach Mafu, has been able to survive at the helm of the Bulawayo giants despite some poor performances.
Bosso find themselves in ninth place on the log with 21 points.
Mafu’s charges have now failed to collect maximum points in their last five matches.
The Bulawayo giants registered four draws and a defeat in those matches. Daily News
