By Kuchineyi Lewis
AFTER three games in-charge of Kwekwe United, coach Masimba Dinyero has concluded that off-field drama and administration problems have been the team’s main problem.
Dinyero’s remarks came after their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Yadah, following a mini-drama that happened before the match.
This comes after the embattled Kwekwe side failed to secure the stadium for their home game against Yadah in time resulting in a 30 minutes delay kickoff.
Kwekwe United has been struggling ever since their promotion into the top flight league despite “shrugging off a US$300 000 sponsorship deal” because they wanted to retain the use of their name Kwekwe United.
In a brutally honest post-match interview, Dhinyero suggested that his players’ poor performance is heavily influenced by events that unfold before kickoff, which disrupt their concentration and affects their execution on the pitch.
“Actually, the events which are happening before the matches are a reflection of bad things which will happen in the field of play. They [the players] lose concentration and focus… they are still young, they want to grow, they want to learn, but when we have disturbances before the match, they lose focus,” Dhinyero said.
Despite conceding an own goal that ultimately decided the tie, Dhinyero stood by his youthful team, praising their effort while highlighting the need to strengthen the squad, particularly in attack.
“We don’t have strikers in our team. It’s a homework again for us to have strikers who can hit the ball on the goal,” he admitted. “We are not going to be relegated… but we need to manage our games and take points as they come.”
The match itself was a tale of missed chances for Yadah, who were wasteful in the first half before managing to capitalise through Kwekwe’s defensive mishap.
Yadah head coach Maxwell Jongwe Takaendesa acknowledged the challenge posed by the hosts.
“Kwekwe gave us a fight. We were in a hurry in the first half… with a bit of patience we could have buried our chances. But we are grateful to walk away with three points,” Takaendesa said.
Takaendesa stressed the importance of the win, calling it “very important” as his side aims to survive relegation.
For Dhinyero and his Kwekwe United charges, the focus now shifts to regrouping and silencing the external noise.
“We need to psych these youngsters again to come back to their senses and play their game,” he said. “We will go back and plan again, and map a way forward for our next game.”
The defeat leaves Kwekwe United languishing at the bottom of the table, while Yadah move further clear of the relegation zone from this hard-fought victory.
