Bosso crushed

Langton Nyakwenda Harare Bureau
Dynamos ………………..….. (2) 4
Highlanders ……………….. (0) 1
SIMBA Sithole scored a memorable brace and set up another as Dynamos crushed Highlanders in a heavily unbalanced TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup tie played at the National Sports Stadium in Harare. On-fire gangly striker Roderick Mutuma, who was set up by Sithole also found the target and substitute Washington Pakamisa was also on target as DeMbare powered their way to the trophy and $60 000 winner’s cheque.
Felix Chindungwe scored the consolation goal for Highlanders.

Bosso trooped into the giant facility oozing with confidence as they looked psyched up to finally break the jinx that has seen them play second fiddle to DeMbare in the last eight years.

They dominated the early exchanges but could not trouble Artwell Mukandi and when DeMbare found their groove the result of the match was never in doubt.

Sithole opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, tapping home a nod-back from the skilful Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo.
It was Sithole’s first goal of the season and his celebration said it all.

Man of the Match Tafadzwa “Fire” Rusike, a menace on the left flank throughout the encounter, had done well, beating an out of sorts Eric Mudzingwa before flighting an inviting cross that was headed into the path of Sithole by the pint-sized Chitiyo.

Sithole completed his brace in the 31st minute when he capitalised on a Bosso defensive mix up to bundle the ball past Bosso keeper Ariel Sibanda.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu, who had threatened revenge before kick-off, panicked and pulled out Hillary Madzivanyika who was playing a twin defensive link role with Chindungwe, for the more offensive Rahman Kutsanzira six minutes before the break.

The move backfired as Bosso were more exposed, with Chitiyo now finding himself with acres of space to perform his tricks while Rusike never ceased tormenting Mudzingwa on the left channel.

Kaindu threw his last dice four minutes after resumption, bringing on the duo of former How Mine striker Simba Sithole and Gabriel Nyoni for Pasca Manhanga and Njabulo Ncube as he searched, but it was DeMbare who extended their lead in the 54th minute.

Mutuma, who had seemed off duty for the better part of the first half, coolly slotted home a fine hard and low cross from the left by Sithole who had been played into space by captain of the day Thomas Magorimbo.

Dynamos substitute Anesu Gondo then had two clear chances to extend the lead while Mutuma’s clever chip was well read by goalie Sibanda before Bosso defensive linkman Chindungwe reduced the arrears in the 83rd minute, scrambling the ball home in a goal mouth melee.

The goal added some impetus to the Bosso attack whose chief striker Charles Sibanda displayed some fancy footwork but lacked support from his rather switched off partners.

Their mini revival was dealt a massive blow when Pakamisa beat an ill-timed offside trap and curled the ball beyond the reach of a drawn out Sibanda to spark wild celebrations among the DeMbare supporters.

Bosso had their own chances, though few, especially in the first half when Manhanga and Joel Ngodzo came close, the former’s shot hitting the side net while the latter’s thunderous free kick was parried away by the vastly improved Mukandi.

Ageing striker Ncube also had a chance two minutes after restart but he was a shade slower and his shot inside the box was blocked by Magorimbo.
Credit should go to referee Thabani Bhamala who was on top of this usually volatile clash and got requisite assistance from Bongani Gadzikwa and Thomas Kusosa who ran the lines.

Teams
Dynamos: A Mukandi, B Moyo, T Magorimbo, T Ndlovu (E Muroiwa 84 min), A Mbara, S Alimenda, R Chitiyo, R Mutuma (A Gondo 69 min), T Rusike, S Sithole (W Pakamisa 68 min), W Mukanga.

Highlanders: A Sibanda, C Sibanda, B Kangwa, I Mapuranga, H Madzivanyika (R Kutsanzira 39 min), F Chindungwe, D Ndlovu, E Mudzingwa, J Ngodzo, N Ncube (S Sithole 49 min), P Manhanga (G Nyoni 49 min).