Top Four or Walk: Can Cioaba deliver after Dynamos cup heartbreaks?

It is sink or swim for Aristică Cioabă. The Dynamos coach has left himself nowhere to hide after boldly declaring he will deliver a top-four finish in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League or walk away from the Glamour Boys.

After Sunday’s humiliating Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final exit to FC Hunters, a side sitting 14th on the table with 28 points – Cioaba looked like a man who had run out of excuses.

In his post-match remarks after watching his side crash out 4-1 on penalties to lowly FC Hunters at Rufaro stadium in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals, the Romanian gaffer drew a line in the sand.

DYNAMOS HAVE DRAWN 14 TIMES, THE HIGHEST IN PSL TOP SIX

“It’s possible to finish in the top four but we need to stay together to make the plan possible. This is a clear message to everyone,” Cioaba told the media after the defeat.

“But I promised that if I don’t finish in the top four, I will not continue at the club, I will go.”

Dynamos FC celebrating a goal at Rufaro stadium. Picture by Fanzone

It was a raw, emotional pledge from a coach who arrived in July following the departure Genesis Mangombe with a brief to steady a sinking ship.

The context makes the ultimatum even heavier. Dynamos have now been knocked out of both major cups, the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup and now the Chibuku Super Cup, leaving the league as their only salvage route this season.

However, the league picture is brutal. After 28 matches, DeMbare sit fifth on 47 points, one point behind Herentals FC and Ngezi Platinum Stars, who both have 48 points on the PSL table. With only six games left before the season ends on November 23, every point matters.

Cioaba’s men have drawn 14 games this season, the most in the top six after scoring 38 goals and conceding 21 times. They have lost only three times, but the draws have killed their momentum.

For the Harare giants, missing the top four would be unthinkable. They have already missed put on the CAF Confederations Cup slot, in a season they will finish without silverware, and face yet another coaching reset.

On Sunday, they will seek redemption when they face Herentals College FC at Rufaro stadium in a league match. They will face Herentals College FC, Triangle United, Hardrock FC, Ngezi Platinum Stars, Manica Diamonds and FC Hunters in their other remaining fixtures.

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