Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ARISTICA Cioaba has taken Dynamos into a five-day camp ahead of this afternoon’s Rufaro clash against Scottland, a match that could revive or all but end their Castle Lager Premiership title challenge.
Third-placed Glamour Boys have 45 points, eight behind the defending champions with nine matches remaining.
Victory would cut the gap to five and bring Dynamos back into contention.
Defeat would leave them 11 points adrift with eight games to play.
Second-placed Hardrock have 51 points but have played one match more than Scottland.
Cioaba ordered the camp after Dynamos were handed three matches in seven days.
They beat TelOne 4-1 in a Chibuku Super Cup first-round tie on Sunday, face Scottland today and host Chicken Inn in the league on Sunday.
“Three games in seven days meant we had to come up with a good plan to ensure the team recovers quickly and allow for preparation for the next game,” Cioaba said.
The Dynamos technical director said Monday was used for recovery and light training before the team turned its attention to tactics and mistakes from the TelOne match yesterday.
The camp is also designed to keep the players away from outside distractions during an important week.
Today’s fixture was postponed last month to allow Scottland to take part in the Toyota Cup.
“We want to try our best to win this game,” Cioaba said.
“This is important for us because we face the current leaders and champions, with the outcome meant to impact the race.
“Our plan has been to fight in the title race and, for us to do that, there is no room for mistakes, especially in matches like these.”
Dynamos were the only unbeaten Premiership side in July, winning three matches and drawing one without conceding a goal.
They scored seven times during that run and rose from sixth to third. Their 4-0 victory over Agama was their biggest league win in almost a decade.
Scottland beat Dynamos 5-0 in the Castle Challenge Cup at the start of the season before their first league meeting ended goalless.
Cioaba has a full squad available for today’s encounter.
Christopher Nettey, Isaac Landu, Clive Mandivei and Abel Gwatidzo are available in defence against a Scottland attack featuring Khama Billiat, Panashe Mutimbanyoka and brothers Knowledge and Walter Musona.
“It is good for us that we don’t have any injuries or suspensions,” Cioaba said.
“The morale is good, and being together in camp gives us more bonding time so that we speak in one voice. Everyone is looking for a good result.”
Cioaba accepts that Scottland has one of the strongest squads in the league but wants his players to trust their own quality.
“They have a strong squad, so at Dynamos we have been talking with the boys so that they understand our own strengths and superiority,” he said.
“We have good players. We have experienced players who have been in the league for a long time and even played outside Zimbabwe.
“No disrespect to the opponents, but I believe we have a chance against them. We just need to play our game with belief.”
