Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Dynamos ……………. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)4
AGAMA ………………. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
A mere 45 minutes was all that Aristica Acioaba needed to remind Dynamos fans what it feels like to watch and cheer some entertaining football.
The Romanian made a strong first impression, leading DeMbare to a dominant three-goal lead at the break before adding a late goal to dismiss visiting AGAMA 4-0 on his debut at Rufaro yesterday.
And for an entire 90 minutes, he was feted by the Vietnam stands courtesy of a well organised and entertaining game which was actuated by goals from Isaac Landu, Abel Gwatidzo and a Frank Agyemang brace.
From the first whistle, Dynamos were visibly intentional in their play, carefully crafting their play from the back as they outclassed a visiting AGAMA.
Acioba made it is clear at the end that they play to please the fans.
“I am happy that we gave the fans something to celebrate and I am sure we will continue to do that going forward,” he said.
To better understand Dynamos’ dominance yesterday, you will need to know the amount of chances created in the first half.
In the 13th minute, Leroy Mavunga took a corner kick, placed well into the box but Frank Agyemang blew over bar what could have been the opener.
Two minutes later, the Glamour Boys built perfectly from the back when AGAMA keeper took a long goal kick.
Their efforts were well calculated, Mavhunga placing a cross into the box but Agyemang missed the target by inches.
Relentlessly, the well-organised blue army built well from the back, dominating in possession before initiating high press whenever they got to the centre line.
In the 27th minute, Dynamos got a breakthrough, introduced a new scorer on to the PSL charts after Mavunga placed a short free kick to Abel Gwatidzo who brought a well calculated cross into the box for defender Landu to head it into the net.
Dynamos remained composed, playing cautiously as they reserved their energy.
Their calculated moves were soon to pay off again when Gwatidzo unleashed a thunderbolt from a distance, beating goalkeeper Wilson Brown to secure the insurance goal for Dynamos.
Instantly, it turned into a goals galore. The marauding Mavunga, at the left wing, gave a short pass to Agyemang who converted from close range to make it 3-0.
Three goals scored in a space of 10 minutes left AGAMA disoriented and forced a panic reaction from the bench.
A subdued AGAMA were to introduce two changes at the stroke of 45 minutes as they sort to absorb pressure in the two minutes added time.
Returning from halftime, Dynamos did not slow down.
They stuck to pace while relying on an Agyemang or Mavhunga to initiate high press and putting pressure on AGAMA.
In the 65th minute, Tendaishe Magwaza had to be replaced by Christopher Nettey, an injury forced substitute.
Witness Shave came in for Wisdom Mutasa to maintain pace in the attacking third. The technically gifted Nettey gave AGAMA a scare with his first touch when he dribbled past two opponents before placing a cross for Mavhunga who hit the side net.
Overlapping from the back, Nettey would add attacking options in Dynamos right wing, while recovering in time to retreat and take his position in the backline.
AGAMA looked disjointed and barely threatened the hosts, leaving Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni to enjoy playing with the ball on his feet.
Four minutes to full time, the hosts could have gotten another one through Perfect Chikwende who found himself in good space in the box but his decision to assist Agyemang worked against him as Brown intercepted.
At the 88th minute, the goalkeeper Brown made a clumsy challenge on Agyemang in the box, and referee Tafadzwa Zhou awarded a penalty to DeMbare.
Agyemang converted from the spot to record a brace in their 4-0 lead, taking his total goals to 11 in 21 games.
Acioaba was charmed by his side’s performance, and the warm post-match welcome he got from the Vietnam.
“I am very happy with the team’s performance especially in the first half, everything went according to plan,” he said.
“Our plan was to come in with fast play, and we did that, pressed hard and gave them the pressure in turn the goals came.”
However, he felt that in the second half energy levels dropped on his side.
“I don’t blame them, this is a new philosophy and it will be a process for them to adjust so we just have to give them about four weeks and everything will fall into place.”
As fans thronged the heavy Rufaro metal gates to welcome Acioaba, the question that arose in their conversations was, could Acioaba be the glue that Dynamos needed to restore their bond with the seven million fans?
