Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
NEW Dynamos technical director Aristica Cioaba says the Glamour Boys will switch to fast, attacking, possession-based football as he takes charge tomorrow against AGAMA at Rufaro.
The 54-year-old Romanian was officially unveiled yesterday, just over a fortnight after his arrival from a stint in Ghana.
Although he had been spotted at the Glamour Boys training sessions and matches, the club management officially presented him to the media for his maiden interface yesterday.
At that unveiling ceremony, Cioaba sounded much like his countryman Marian “Mario’’ Marinica in terms of the football philosophy that he will pursue at Dynamos.
Journeyman Marinica took charge of Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on a philosophy of “fast and very fast football’’.
He left the Zimbabwe coaching post on April 27. And Cioaba indicated that he wants high pressing, progressive play, and no sitting deep.
“My philosophy is clear. I like offensive, aggressive football with high pressing,” Cioaba said.
“Supporters want action and goals. I value good organisation in attack and we don’t want to give opponents chances on the counter.”
His appointment brings stability after head coach Genesis Mangombe was suspended and later opted to take a similar post at relegation-haunted Triangle United.
Mangombe was suspended together with his assistants – Newsome Mutema and Tonderai Marume.
Team manager Ronald Sibanda led a makeshift bench for last week’s 0-0 draw with Bulawayo Chiefs at Rufaro with Cioaba who has been in the country for weeks, watching from the stadium’s VVIP tribune.
In fact, Cioaba has been following Dynamos’ last six games including the last two he watched live. He has spent one week with the squad.
“I like fast improvement. In a short time you will see how the team plays,” he said.
“I now know the players and positions. We are working on confidence and understanding.”
The UEFA Pro Licence holder has coached across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, including Azam in Tanzania and two stints at Aduana Stars in Ghana. He began at Raja Casablanca of Morocco, as assistant to Alexandru Moldovan in 2005-06 and also worked at Al Masry in Egypt.
Dynamos sit seventh on 31 points from 19 games, 12 behind leaders Scottland, underlining the tough task awaiting the Romanian to haul the Harare giants back into the top three.
Cioaba is targeting a top-four finish this season and a title push next term. He has also been familiarising with the DeMbare players and wants his players to be more confident to be able to accomplish his philosophy.
“We are working; it’s now one week and I like to improve the players and give the confidence to the players about my philosophy.
“I talked to the players, let them quickly understand me and also myself to understand the players fast. In this short time, I know now the names of the players and their positions. We are working with progress every day and maybe in short time you will see how the team plays.”
Club chairman Vincent Chawonza said Cioaba’s African experience suits Dynamos’ CAF Confederation Cup return later this year.
Chawonza who took to social media last week to explain the changes being undertaken at the club once again pleaded with the DeMbare supporters to rally behind the direction the team is taking.
“To our supporters, let’s keep supporting these great strategic decisions that we are making and also I would like to let you know that in football we always chase a moving target.
“Once we achieve certain things we aim higher. So I think the direction that we have taken this year as Dynamos is great and we keep improving,” said Chawonza.
