Dynamos coach Genesis “Kaka” Mangombe cut a visibly reflective figure after his side’s 2-1 Harare Derby defeat to CAPS United, a result that extended their recent frustrations following another setback against Chicken Inn.
Mangombe admitted the defeat carried extra weight, given the rivalry and the timing of the result.
“It’s always painful to lose to CAPS United and also coming from a defeat from Chicken Inn. I think we wanted this game, we wanted maximum points in this game.,” he said.
Despite the disappointment, the Dynamos coach insisted his side had shown effort and moments of quality, even if the final outcome did not reflect their performance.
“It’s a game of football, we tried our best and the boys played well, but saved for the result which was not in our favour,” he said.
He also pointed to what he described as a positive response during the match, particularly the team’s ability to recover after going behind and forcing their way back into contention.
“I’m also happy with the response to the situations in the field of play. For instance, coming from behind and managing to equalise,” Mangombe noted.
However, he was blunt about the decisive moments that swung the derby, suggesting his side fell short in key mental phases of the game.
“At this level, I just thought we lacked that concentration and maturity to make sure that if we are not going to win, it was going to be a show of skills,” he said.
Looking ahead to their next assignment against Herentals FC on Thursday, Mangombe said the focus now shifts to recovery and refinement rather than dwelling on the defeat.
“We will try and start from where we left. The good thing is that we are also managing to get a goal in these past two games. It means we have somewhere to start. So we just need to have maximum concentration,” he said.
“We also have to take the positives from this game and work on the grey areas.”
Dynamos remain seventh on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table after 11 matches, with four wins, five draws and two defeats, collecting 17 points so far in the campaign.
