DYNAMOS will be looking for a quick reset when they begin their Chibuku Super Cup title defence against relegation-threatened TelOne FC in a last-16 clash at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
The Glamour Boys are chasing a record fourth consecutive Chibuku Super Cup title after winning the trophy in each of the past three seasons.
But they head into the competition looking to recover from a shock 1-0 defeat to second-tier Hwange FC in last weekend's Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
The defeat ended Dynamos' hopes in the country's premier domestic knockout competition and was Romanian coach Aristica Cioaba’s first loss since taking charge of the Harare giants at the beginning of last month.
Cioaba had made an encouraging start after replacing Genesis Mangombe, but the defeat at Colliery Stadium highlighted Dynamos’ problems in front of goal.
Dynamos dominated possession and created several chances at Colliery Stadium, but Morestuff Ncube’s stunning first-half strike was enough to send Hwange into the last 16.
Cioaba believes the best response is for the players, coaches, and supporters to stick together and focus on the next challenge.
“We need to go back to Harare and concentrate on the next game and restore the morale in the players,” Cioaba said after the defeat to Hwange.
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“We need to try and talk to everyone and forget everything. Our supporters are very important at this moment.
“When a club is facing a few challenges, the supporters need to be behind the players. If next week we can win the game in the Cup [Chibuku], I think everything will be okay.
“We will have another season fighting in the cup and in the league because our position in the league is not that good. Let’s stick together and see in the future. Maybe the team will do better and win the game.”
The Romanian had no doubts about his team's performance against Hwange, insisting the major problem was a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.
“We controlled the game from the first to the last minute. We missed a lot of chances, and it wasn’t our day,” he said.
“Our opponent had one shot on target the whole 90 minutes and scored. We will review this game and see what is good and what is not, considering that we had more than five clear-cut chances.
“We played well. Everyone who watched the game saw it. We tried our best, but luck wasn’t on our side.
“We needed concentration from our forwards to score. We have to go back and fix that. We now need to play for our fans because they are the most important part of our team.”
The Chibuku Super Cup, presents Dynamos with an immediate opportunity to put the disappointment behind them.
Unlike the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, however, the Chibuku Super Cup no longer carries the reward of continental football.
The winners of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup will represent Zimbabwe in the Caf Confederation Cup next year, adding further significance to that competition.
Dynamos have endured a particularly difficult week, having also been excluded from the Caf Confederation Cup draw after failing to meet the requirements for participation.
Their focus now turns to domestic matters, with the Chibuku Super Cup providing a chance to restore confidence and give their supporters something to celebrate.
Standing in their way is a TelOne side fighting for survival in the Premier Soccer League.
The relegation-threatened Gweru outfit changed coaches this week following the dismissal of Saul Chamuka and have brought back former coach Joel Luphahla.
Luphahla will take charge of his first match since returning to the club when TelOne face Dynamos in what promises to be a difficult assignment at Rufaro.
The Chibuku Super Cup gets underway tomorrow, with league champions Scottland facing FC Platinum at Rufaro in the opening last-16 encounter.
The remaining matches will be played over the weekend.
Chibuku Super Cup last-16 fixtures
Friday: Scottland v FC Platinum (Rufaro)
Saturday: MWOS v Agama (Ngoni); Caps United v Simba Bhora (Rufaro); Ngezi Platinum Stars v ZPC Kariba (Baobab)
Sunday: Hardrock v Bulawayo Chiefs (Chahwanda); Dynamos v TelOne (Rufaro); Herentals v FC Hunters (Ngoni); Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Highlanders).
