Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHETHER Leeroy Mavhunga got the slightest touch to Christopher Nettey’s inviting cross might remain open to debate.
What happened next was unmistakable. The Dynamos forward sprinted towards the dugout and wrapped coach Aristica Cioaba in an emotional embrace after DeMbare broke the deadlock in last Sunday’s crucial 2-0 victory over MWOS at Ngoni Stadium.
It was a glimpse into the growing connection between the players and the Romanian coach who took over from Genesis Mangombe earlier this month.
After weeks of uncertainty and frustration, Dynamos suddenly look like a team playing with purpose again.
Three consecutive victories, seven goals scored and none conceded, have breathed fresh life into the Glamour Boys’ campaign.
They are now nine points behind Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders Scottland, with 12 rounds still to play.
“The new coach is direct in what he wants,” said one Dynamos player.
“He wants us to play fast football, press and entertain the fans. All I can say is we are happy.”
That happiness is beginning to show on the pitch.
The football is quicker, the pressing more coordinated and the players appear to be enjoying themselves again.
The change is also being felt beyond the team.
Zimdancehall artiste Blot has found himself riding the wave as his song “Ndekare”, in which he declares his allegiance to Dynamos, grows in popularity across the country.
The song is expected to echo around Rufaro Stadium this afternoon when Dynamos host Simba Bhora.
Talk of a title challenge may still appear ambitious.
Scottland remain in control of the championship race, seven points clear at the top and nine ahead of Dynamos.
But the mood has changed at the Harare giants.
“It’s about belief and unity,” said Dynamos secretary Devine Sena.
“The mood in camp is completely different now. The boys are working harder for each other, listening to the technical team and enjoying their football again.
“We can’t get carried away. It’s one game at a time.”
For a club of Dynamos’ stature, expectations never disappear.
The Glamour Boys have won a record 21 league championships and remain Zimbabwe’s only club to reach the CAF Champions League final, a historic achievement under Sunday Chidzambwa in 1998.
Yet league glory has eluded them for the past 12 years.
Although they have won the last three Chibuku Super Cup trophies, success at Dynamos has always been measured by one yardstick — the league championship.
“Building a consistent and feared Dynamos under coach Aristica Cioaba is the bigger picture,” Sena said.
He believes the championship race is far from over.
“Nine points is a gap, but it’s not a mountain,” he said. “The league is still long and we have seen teams come back from worse.
“Are we in the championship race? Mathematically, yes.”
Last season, Dynamos were fighting for survival until the final day before escaping relegation.
A week later, they reminded everyone of their pedigree by beating Triangle United 1-0 at Gibbo to win the Chibuku Super Cup.
“Our first target when this executive came in was to stabilise the club,” Sena said.
“The second was to finish in the top three and restore the pride and glamour of the Dynamos jersey.
“The third is silverware. We’re in the Chibuku Super Cup and the Munhumutapa Cup, and we want to compete for every trophy available.”
Whether Dynamos can turn their revival into silverware or not remains to be seen.
But belief has already returned.
At Ngoni last Sunday, one sprint towards the dugout and one emotional embrace said as much.
