HARARE – Dynamos look set to appoint Romanian coach Aristica Cioaba after the suspended Genesis Mangombe snubbed the club’s disciplinary hearing.

Mangombe was hit with a slew of charges and suspended after his side’s 1-1 draw away at Highlanders last week.

But even before Dynamos determined his fate, Mangombe is reportedly in negotiations with Triangle to return to the club.

Dynamos, meanwhile, have applied for a work permit for Cioaba – who had initially been earmarked for a role as technical adviser.

The Romanian, who holds a UEFA Pro Licence, was at Barbourfields on Sunday, watching from the stands.

Dynamos said Mangombe was suspended over pre-match rituals steeped in lucky charms as well as match-fixing claims.

Mangombe allegedly forced players to bath in juju before matches and was involved in fixing the outcome of at least four league games.

The suspension was to allow the investigation to proceed “without any interference” from him or any other interested party, club CEO Desmond Bvute said.

Dynamos acted following “numerous complaints and allegations” made against Mangombe by some players, as well as his alleged conduct towards members of the club’s executive committee at a post-training meeting at Glamis Arena on June 18.

Mangombe was confronted at that meeting with allegations first raised by goalkeeper Idrissou Nfor Finiar, who claimed the coach was forcing players to bath in juju before games.

Similar claims had previously been made by Christopher Netty and relayed by senior players through their captain, Stanley Billiart, who alleged that players who refused to bath in juju as directed would not be selected for matchday squads.

Dynamos accused Mangombe of disrespecting executive committee members during that meeting, alleging he challenged them and showed disregard for their authority before telling them he no longer wanted to continue as head coach and walking out.

He is said to have repeated this to the club’s chief security officer, who followed him to his car.

The most serious allegation accuses Mangombe of involvement in game manipulation, with Dynamos alleging he arranged for the team to lose or avoid winning in four matches: a 5-0 defeat to Scotland FC in the Castle Challenge Cup on March 1, in which the club alleges he played some players out of position without justification; a 1-0 loss to Highlanders in the Charity Shield; a 2-2 draw with Hunters; and a 2-1 defeat to CAPS United.

Dynamos also accused Mangombe of withholding playing kits from some players, including Nfor Finiar, allegedly sending the kits for juju rituals before returning them just ahead of matchday – conduct the club said breached its policy of kits being held by the kit manager.

The club further alleges that Mangombe instructed players to violate a standing directive, given by the chief security officer, not to do a full lap of the pitch during pre-match warm-ups, doing so again on June 21 at Barbourfields Stadium ahead of the Highlanders fixture. Dynamos said the match commissioner had raised the matter and the club anticipates a fine.

The club additionally accused Mangombe of failing to submit post-match reports to the chief executive, saying he had filed only three such reports in 20 games despite repeated reminders, and said the conduct alleged – particularly around match-fixing and juju – had brought the club and the sport into disrepute.

Dynamos ordered Mangombe to stay away from training, matches and club events, while continuing to draw his full salary and benefits. His letter of suspension barred him from signing for another club unless his contract is mutually or formally terminated.

With Mangombe refusing to cooperate with the investigation, Dynamos appear ready to move swiftly to appoint Cioaba, whose coaching career has taken him to Africa, Asia and the Middle East, including three separate spells in charge of Ghanaian side Aduana Stars, a stint with Tanzanian club Azam FC, and roles in Bangladesh, Oman, Jordan and Kuwait, as well as an assistant coaching position at Egyptian side Al-Masry.

Dynamos sit sixth in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, 10 points off the pace being set by leaders Scottland FC.