Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT took three different coaches, each bringing their own unique qualities, to script Harare football giants Dynamos’ remarkable dominance in the Chibuku Super Cup over the past three seasons.
First came Genesis Mangombe, whose relationship with sections of the Glamour Boys faithful has often swung between love and hate during his two stints at the club.
Mangombe won Dynamos’ first Chibuku Super Cup title with a 2-0 victory over Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab in 2023.
He was followed by Lloyd Chigowe, arguably one of the most underappreciated coaches in the club’s recent history despite his dedication and sacrifices under challenging circumstances.
Chigove’s men overcame Ngezi again at Rufaro via a 4-2 penalty shootout in 2024 after the two sides had been tied 1-1 after extra-time.
Then arrived Zambian mentor Kelvin Kaindu last year.
Kaindu, who was widely hailed as Dynamos’ saviour last season after masterminding a ‘miraculous’ escape from Premiership relegation claimed the title with a 1-0 triumph over Triangle at Gibbo.
The common denominator is that all three coaches left DeMbare with medals after winning the Chibuku Super Cup.
Dynamos’ dominance in the competition means they are the standout club while FC Platinum who must face Scottland tomorrow and Harare City now in Division One have two titles apiece.
Now the responsibility of extending that legacy for DeMbare rests with Romanian tactician Aristica Cioaba.
The much travelled Romanian finds himself battling to lift the spirits in the camp, which were shattered by an administrative boob in the manner the club handled the debt to former coach Saul Chaminuka, which led to their elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup last week.
Just days after the CAF blunder, the Glamour Boys then suffered another major setback when they crashed out of the inaugural Munhumutapa Challenge Cup following a surprise 1-0 Round of 32 defeat to Hwange at the Colliery last weekend.
As a result, Dynamos will be absent when the draw for the competition’s Round of 16 is conducted next Wednesday, joining seven other Premier Soccer League clubs, who were eliminated at the first hurdle during a weekend full of upsets.
That has left the defence of the Chibuku Super Cup as one of DeMbare’s primary objectives, alongside their league title aspirations, which remain mathematically possible, with a few rounds of games remaining this season.
Dynamos must now dig deep to restore confidence among the supporters whose expectations had risen following Cioaba’s arrival.
Club executive chairman Vincent Chawonza, who accepted responsibility for the CAF debacle, has urged the Glamour Boys’ supporters to continue backing the Romanian coach, with the hope of retaining the Chibuku Super Cup and continue the fight for the title.
“I would like to thank you also for welcoming our coach, Aristica Cioaba, warmly and he has quickly settled, he feels the love and continues to support him,” said Chawonza.
“He has played six games, won four games, drawn two matches and with six clean sheets and let’s continue to support him with the great work that he is doing.
“Indeed, the future is bright and also we are moving in the right direction. I would like to quickly remind you that the tremendous effort and the great success that has happened at this club was a team effort.
“And also remember that seven months ago we were fighting relegation. Seven months now, just after seven months, we are already talking about the championship and it’s also possible that we can win it,” said Chawonza.
The manner in which the Chaminuka debacle cost the Harare giants will likely haunt the Glamour Boys for a long time.
Falling at the first hurdle of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, which would have guaranteed a financial windfall and a ticket to represent the nation in the Confederation Cup, worsened the already bad situation.
The mounting frustrations are likely to increase pressure on Cioaba and his men to retain the Chibuku Super Cup and restore some faith among an increasingly restless fan base.
Ironically, DeMbare had been scheduled to face Chaminuka once again in the opening round of the Chibuku Super Cup against TelOne at Rufaro on Sunday.
However, that subplot has since disappeared after Chaminuka was dismissed by the Gweru side this week and replaced by former Dynamos assistant coach Joel Luphahla.
Luphahla was in the Simba Bhora dugout when Dynamos beat the 2024 league champions in a Castle Challenge Cup time at Rufaro last year.
The former Zimbabwe winger will be hoping to get his latest TelOne tenure off to a flier with victory over DeMbare.
After the Scottland against FC Platinum game, Rufaro will host another intriguing encounter on Saturday when CAPS United take on Simba Bhora.
In Bulawayo, the spotlight will be on the derby between Highlanders and Chicken Inn, who are both keen for consolation after crashing out of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
