(Last Updated on February 24, 2013 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Dynamos ….. (3) 4 Highlanders ….. 0 (Dynamos won 6-1 on aggregate)
IT was supposed to be a close contest but it ended up looking like a one-sided affair as Harare giants Dynamos turned on the power to seal a big win against bitter rivals Highlanders in an exciting final of the Bob 89 Super Cup at Rufaro yesterday.
The Glamour Boys who were sitting on a 2-1 advantage from the first leg victory at Barbourfields took it up from where they left in Bulawayo two weeks ago and pocketed the US$100 000 winners’ cheque while Bosso walked away with US$70 000.
It was a good outing for Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa ahead of the return leg of the Caf Champions League preliminary round tie against Lesotho Correctional Service whom they thrashed 3-0 at the same venue last week.
Spurred on by their vociferous crowds, DeMbare again took their chances in the first half and walked away deserving winners courtesy of goals from double scorer Patrick Khumbula, defender Partson Jaure and an own goal from Highlanders’ second half substitute Simon Munawa.
In fact, they had almost killed off the game in the first 10 minutes when they raced to an early 2-0 lead after Highlanders had started off at high pace as they threatened to overturn the first leg result.
Pasuwa awarded game time to his new signings Francisco Zekumbawira, Morris Kadzola, Washington Pakamisa and goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi who stared ahead of George Chigova. Mukandi did well between the posts to keep a clean sheet in the face of Bosso’s threatening moves into his goal area.
But it was Zekumbawira who appeared to have immediately won the heartds of the Blue Army in the Vietnam stand. For all the hype surrounding his move from Hwange, the ginger-haired forward did enough to justify that he could be one man to watch in the blue and white strip this season with some deft touches and sporadic bursts into the opposition territory.
His efforts were rewarded in the 8th minute when he powered into the Bosso penalty box and forced a shot that was parried back into play by goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda and Khumbula reacted the fastest to bury the rebound.
Jaure then put his name on the scoresheet two minutes later with a free header on the back post from a set-piece by Tawanda Muparati after Khumbula had won a free kick on the right flank in a tussle with Bruce Kangwa.
Khumbula who was on the scoresheet in the first leg, capped a memorable feat with a powerful performance that earned him the man of the match award. The DeMbare striker who has returned from a loan spell more confident got his second goal in the 39th minute when he latched on top a through pass from Gift Bello and made no mistake against the advancing goalkeeper.
Khumbula was rewarded for his efforts when and received an ipad from GoldeTech for his match-winning performances.
Highlanders appeared down and out going for the breather as they trailed 3-0 and it only got worse soon after the break when half time substitute Simon Munawa beat his own goalkeeper from a high ball by the DeMbare captain of the day Murape Murape in the 46th minute.
Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa was elated by the win and said the victory was a big boost ahead of the return leg of the Champions League match against Lesotho Correctional Service in Maseru this week.
“I think the guys did very well. A win was okay for us and the fact that we scored four goals today is a big morale booster when we go out and play in the Champions League. But can we do better if we continue improving our game,” said Pasuwa.
DeMbare kept on charging and could have added to their tally but twice they were denied by substitute goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya who had replaced Sibanda in the 50th minute.
Diya produced one of his best saves in the afternoon when he stopped new Dynamos striker Pakamisa from close range before diving to his right in the 76th minute to punch Devon Chafa’s strike with 10 minutes remaining.
Bosso also could have got at least some consolation but they could not take their chances. Milton Ncube could have done better in the first minute when he capitalized on a defensive error by Jaure but sent his shot wide.
Mukandi was then called into service early when he punched Masimba Mambare’’s shot back in play and then saved another shot by Graham Ncube from the rebound as Bosso pressed for an quick goal. Highlanders came even closer in the 36th minute when Peter “Rio” Moyo found space at the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful grounder that Mukandi punched out to safety.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu said they could not take their chances. “I think the only difference between us and Dynamos is that we conceded two early goals from the chances that they had. We started quite well and we had a chance I think one to one with the goalkeeper and we couldn’’t convert it. It’’s unfortunate we conceded two early goals and that made the difference in the game.
“We always believe in the team and we thought we were going to get a victory and that’’s why we played an open game and maybe that’’s why we conceded so many goals because we became vulnerable in defence, “ said Kaindu.
Dynamos – A. Mukandi, T. Magorimbo (M. Kadzola, 56th minute), A. Mbara, G. Bello, P. Jaure, D. Chafa, S. Alimenda, T. Muparati, M. Murape, F. Zekumbawira (W. Pakamisa, 55th minute), P. Khumbula (R. Madamombe, 70th minute)
Highlanders – A. Sibanda (M. Diya, 50th minute), L. Nkomo (S. Munawa, 46th minute), B. Kangwa, A. Musasa, I. Mapuranga, M. Maphosa, P. Moyo, M. Mambare, Ncube, G. Ncube (O. Zibande, 56th minute), B. Chikaka