Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
WHEN the Premier Soccer League handed Dynamos a demanding run of three matches in seven days, coach Aristica Cioaba opted for preparation rather than panic, placing his squad in a five-day training camp ahead of a potentially decisive week in the title race.
The camp was designed to shield the players from distractions and allow the technical team to focus on recovery, tactical preparations and team cohesion during a congested fixture schedule.
Dynamos, who faced TelOne last weekend, host league leaders Scottland at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon in a rescheduled Premier Soccer League encounter before taking on Chicken Inn on Sunday.
The Glamour Boys and Scottland were originally due to meet on Matchday 25 on July 26 but the fixture was postponed to allow the Harare giants to participate in the Toyota Cup.
Cioaba said the training camp was aimed at ensuring his players remained physically and mentally prepared for one of the most important periods of the season.
“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.
“Our plan meant having players in camp, so on Monday we had a recovery session and light training, Tuesday we trained again focusing on tactics while also correcting mistakes from the previous game.”
At the summit of the league standings are Scottland, who lead the table with 53 points and head into today’s encounter knowing that victory would strengthen their grip on the championship race.
Dynamos, meanwhile, sit third on 45 points and have an opportunity to cut the gap to five points with a win, potentially reigniting their own title ambitions while increasing pressure on the teams above them.
The outcome will also be closely watched by second-placed Hardrock, who have amassed 51 points and remain firmly in contention.
Cioaba has quickly earned the trust of the Dynamos faithful since taking charge, overseeing an impressive turnaround in fortunes as the team has rediscovered both confidence and consistency.
The Harare giants have shown marked improvement going forward, combining solid defensive performances with a greater cutting edge in attack.
For Cioaba, however, the focus remains firmly on delivering another important result against the reigning champions.
“We want to try our best to win this game, 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,” he said.
Dynamos head into the encounter with a clean bill of health, with Christopher Nettey, Isaac Landu, Clive Mandivei and Abel Gwatidzo expected to anchor the defence.
Their task will be to contain a dangerous Scottland attack led by Khama Billiat, Panashe Mutimbanyoka, Knowledge Musona and Walter Musona.
Recent form suggests Dynamos are capable of mounting a serious challenge. In July, the Glamour Boys recorded three victories and a draw to remain the league’s only unbeaten side. They kept four consecutive clean sheets during that run while scoring seven goals.
The impressive sequence of results lifted them from sixth place to third on the league table and included a commanding 4-0 victory over Agama, their biggest league win in nearly a decade.
The last time Dynamos scored four goals from open play in a league match was on June 18, 2017, when they defeated Chapungu.
They also head into today’s encounter buoyed by a convincing 4-1 win over TelOne in the Chibuku Super Cup at the weekend. Despite the positive momentum, Cioaba remains fully aware of the challenge posed by Scottland.
“It is good for us that we don’t have any injuries or suspensions. The morale is good and being together in camp I believe gives us more bonding time so that we speak in one voice so everyone is out for a good result.”
The Romanian tactician believes confidence and self-belief will be key if Dynamos are to overcome one of the strongest squads in the league. They have a strong squad so at Dynamos we have been talking with the boys so that they understand our own strengths and superiority.
“We have the good players; we have the more experienced players who have been in the league for long and even outside Zimbabwe. No disrespect to the opponent but I believe we have a chance against them, we just need to play our game with belief,” he said.
