Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GIANTS Dynamos yesterday made their big move, with the unveiling of former Zimbabwe youth internationals Nathan Mutasa and Calum English-Brown, along with highly-rated Burkina Faso winger Ben Daouda Sidibe.
The players were officially unveiled by the Glamour Boys ahead of their crunch Castle Lager Premier Soccer League home match against Simba Bhora at Rufaro tomorrow.
The latest acquisitions provide Cioaba with additional attacking options as he seeks to implement the fast-paced, aggressive and possession-based football philosophy that has already begun to excite the Dynamos faithful.
And the Romanian appears far from finished in the transfer market.
Dynamos are also understood to be closing in on Burundian attacking midfielder Ramela Harerimana and Ghanaian defender Desmond Obeng, with both players expected to arrive in Harare in the coming days.
The signing of English-Brown will come as particularly welcome news to DeMbare supporters, many of whom had grown increasingly anxious over the prolonged delay in registering the talented forward.
The 25-year-old joined Dynamos before the start of the season but was unable to feature after claims that some complications had arisen in securing an international clearance from England, where he last played in the lower divisions. A product of the renowned Legends Football Academy, English-Brown is no stranger to local football, having previously featured for Herentals, Harare City, WhaWha and Chicken Inn.
While awaiting clearance, he continued training with the first team and was temporarily deployed in Dynamos’ Division Two side to maintain match fitness.
However, it is Mutasa’s arrival that has generated the most debate among the club’s followers.
The midfielder joins on a six-month loan deal from league leaders Scottland, where opportunities were limited due to fierce competition within the star-studded champions’ squad. A former Zimbabwe Under-20 international, Mutasa possesses considerable potential but is yet to fully establish himself at Premier Soccer League level.
His move to Dynamos could offer the platform he needs to revive and accelerate his career.
Dynamos chairman Vincent Chawonza believes the latest additions will help improve the balance and depth of the squad as the club pushes for a strong finish to the season.
The Harare businessman urged the club’s followers to rally behind the team.
“We are trying to balance our team in all areas. So far, we have brought in three players and next week we will unveil two more,” said Chawonza.
“I am also glad to say that the paperwork for the players that we have unveiled is now complete and are available if the coach wants them in his plans for the coming game. But I guess they will have to fight for their places, just like everybody else.”
Much is also expected from Sidibe, who arrives from Ghanaian Premier League side Aduana where he previously worked under Cioaba. The 26-year-old winger earned a reputation in Ghana for his pace, direct running, creativity and tireless work rate, attributes that fit perfectly into the Romanian’s tactical blueprint. Cioaba has repeatedly spoken about the need to build a team capable of playing modern, attacking football and believes the new arrivals will help accelerate that process.
“The fans need to trust our players,” said Cioaba. “In Dynamos, what I see is a big name in this country. The team needs to change everything, have an identity of play, personal philosophy for the play.
“We want to make everybody happy with the way the team plays.”
Despite the excitement surrounding the new signings, Cioaba insists his immediate focus remains on tomorrow’s showdown with Simba Bhora.
The Romanian has enjoyed a dream start to life at Dynamos, helping steer the Glamour Boys to three consecutive victories over AGAMA, Hardrock and MWOS.
The impressive run has propelled the Glamour Boys into third place on the log standings with 40 points, nine behind leaders Scottland, who face Highlanders at Barbourfields tomorrow.
“On Sunday, the number one player for the game against Simba is our supporter,” said Cioaba.
“If our supporters come and give good morale from the first minute to the 90th minute, it will spur on the team and we will try to win the game. And, if we win the game, the team will keep its place among the top teams. This is my message to the supporters, please trust us,” said Cioaba.
Meanwhile, second-placed Hardrock will be hoping to maintain the pressure on Scottland when they host relegation-threatened Triangle United at Chahwanda Stadium tomorrow.
However, the Kwekwe miners will have to negotiate the fixture without the backing of their supporters after being ordered to play behind closed doors following crowd disturbances that led to the abandonment of their match against Dynamos on May 24.
Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu admitted the absence of fans could have a significant impact on his players.
“Yeah, we have to work on the psychological part. Probably when we are playing Triangle and there are no fans, that means we have to work mainly on our psychological part.
“Our biggest enemy is going to be complacency. We will lack the fans, we will lack the motivation, we will lack the noise that is always pushing us when we are playing at home,” said Kaindu.
Castle Lager Premiership Fixtures:
Today: Bulawayo Chiefs v FC Platinum (Luveve), TelOne v ZPC Kariba (Ascot), FC Hunters v Chicken Inn (Heart Stadium), Ngezi Platinum Sars v Herentals (Baobab), MWOS v AGAMA (Ngoni), Manica Diamonds v CAPS Utd (Sakubva)
Tomorrow: Hardrock v Triangle (Chahwanda), Highlanders v Scottland (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Simba Bhora (Rufaro)
