DYNAMOS will be looking to put their Munhumutapa Challenge Cup disappointment behind them when they begin their Chibuku Super Cup title defence against TelOne FC at Rufaro Stadium today.
The Glamour Boys were knocked out of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup by second-tier Hwange FC last weekend, suffering a 1-0 defeat that brought an abrupt end to their campaign in the tournament.
They now have an immediate opportunity to respond, with the Chibuku Super Cup offering them a chance to restore confidence in front of their home supporters.
Dynamos are chasing an unprecedented fourth consecutive Chibuku Super Cup title after lifting the trophy in each of the past three seasons.
Coach Aristica Cioaba, who took charge of the Harare giants at the beginning of last month and won the coach of the month accollade, believes the team is making steady progress despite the occasional setback.
“Congratulations to all the staff, players and executives. The work we have been doing since July is going very well, and the results are coming because of the efforts of the whole group. It is not only about me. I am very happy with the progress we are making, and we need to continue working like this in the future,” Cioaba said.
The Romanian has enjoyed a positive start to his tenure, and believes he needs time to implement his ideas and change the mentality within the team.
“It is good motivation for me to come here. From the first day, I told you to give me time to change the philosophy and mentality of the team, put a good plan in place and make the team play good football,” he said.
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“This is important for our supporters because they want to see our team playing good football.
“Sometimes the results come and sometimes they don’t, but we need time. I am confident about what I see every day in our work on the pitch. The players are working very hard and listening to what I want from them. In the future, I am sure we will get even better results from this team.”
Cioaba has urged his players to forget the disappointment against Hwange and concentrate fully on the challenge posed by TelOne.
“You see, I have forgotten the last game. We lost that game, but I have forgotten everything about it. The players have good morale this week and are working well,” he said.
“We have a plan for all the games we have in the future. We need maximum concentration and to win games step by step. Every time our team has a game, we need to go onto the pitch and avoid making mistakes.”
The match also marks Dynamos' return to Rufaro, a venue where Cioaba wants the club's supporters to turn out in numbers and rally behind the team.
“It has been a long time since we played here at Rufaro. The supporters need to come and see our team, support us and show their love for the team. We don’t want to disappoint our supporters,” he said.
“We need to concentrate, give our best and win the game.”
However, Cioaba expects a difficult encounter against a TelOne side that has also undergone a coaching change this week.
“It is not going to be easy. TelOne FC have changed their coach, so maybe the players will have more motivation. The game will not be easy, but we need to respect our name and win this game so that we can qualify for the next round,” he said.
TelOne parted ways with Saul Chamuka this week and brought back Joel Luphahla, who will take charge of his first match since returning to the Gweru-based club.
Dynamos will therefore have to negotiate a potentially tricky encounter against a side fighting for survival in the Premier Soccer League.
For DeMbare, however, the priority will be to produce a strong response to last weekend's cup disappointment and begin their quest for a historic fourth successive Chibuku Super Cup crown on a winning note.
