Bosso grab Uhuru Cup

Highlanders won 4-3 on penalties
GUTHRIE ZHOKINYI was the fall guy, missing twice from the spot, as Highlanders finally turned the tide on rivals Dynamos and lifted the Independence Trophy before a capacity crowd at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Zhokinyi, who tops the order for the penalty kicks at DeMbare, fluffed a chance to give his side the lead in the 13th minute before he blew yet another chance during the shoot-out.
Highlanders’ defender Gift Lunga was adjudged to have fouled hard-running striker Martin Vengesayi as he was going for goal and referee Ruzive Ruzive pointed to the spot.
With a good chance to push Dynamos into the lead, Zhokinyi blazed his effort over the bar.
When the match, which never rose to the expected heights, ended in 0-0 stalemate, Zhokinyi had another chance to redeem himself but he repeated the mistake when he skied his effort.
By that time, Highlanders were trailing on penalties after Washington Arubi had saved Innocent Mapuranga’s first kick.
David Kutyauripo, Farayi Vimisayi and George Magariro had all scored before the responsibility fell to Zhokinyi once again.
Lawson Nkomo, Marshall Mburayi and Gilbert Banda had converted for Bosso before Zhokinyi brought them level.
Njabulo “JB” Ncube managed to beat Arubi and it was left to Desmond Maringwa to try and bring the scores level but the veteran skipper directed his effort wide to hand Bosso a victory over their Harare rivals.
It was sweet success for Highlanders who had also won their semi-final match 4-2 on penalties against Motor Action at Barbourfields on Saturday.
But, despite needing to win on penalties, Highlanders could have easily wrapped up the match during regulation time, especially in the first half.
Former CAPS United striker Vincent Nzombe forced Arubi to make a crucial save as he tipped for a corner kick, a ferocious effort struck from the edge of the box in the fifth minute.
Nzombe also curled another left footer that Arubi once again saved while Ncube could have done better in the 13th minute instead of miscuing the ball from the edge of the box.
Dynamos then came on a counter attack that resulted in Vengesayi earning the penalty that could have been the turning point in the match.
With an expectant crowd hoping for Dynamos to take the lead, it appeared Zhokinyi was weighed down by the pressure as he wasted the golden chance.
“It a game of football. We cannot win all the matches, it’s just that today was not our day but we should not bury our heads in the sand because of this defeat.
“It’s tough luck to my teammates because obviously I was the one who was carrying the hopes of the team and I missed the first penalty,” said Zhokinyi.
Dynamos assistant coach Ralph Kawondera believed they were just unlucky to miss the penalty in the first half.
“We played well but it’s not our day.
“But we were never worried when Guthrie missed that penalty in the first half because it happens in football
“In the first half we gave Highlanders too much room and they were coming at us.
“We told our guys to close them down in the second half and it was slightly different as we were better,” said Kawondera.
Highlanders’ coach Mkhupali Masuku was happy that Bosso had finally beaten Dynamos after more than four years of trying.
“I feel quite honoured to be the first Highlanders coach to beat Dynamos after so many years.
“It’s an early Christmas present for our fans and I dedicate this Independence Trophy to them as they have been waiting for so many years for this,” said Masuku.
Bosso had last beaten Dynamos in July 2006, winning 1-0 in a league game.
In 2007, Highlanders lost 2-1 while the other league tie ended in a 0-0 while in 2008, both league ties ended in 1-1 draws.

In 2008, Dynamos won 4-0 and 1-0 over the two league ties while last year DeMbare continued with their dominance, winning 1-0 at Rufaro before the ill-tempered reverse fixture that ended prematurely when Bosso were on the receiving end.
Even in the BancABC semi-final last year, Bosso came second best and had also fallen to Dynamos in the Hexagon Venture Challenge match during the pre-season this year.
“I was impressed by the fighting spirit of the players.
“There was also Arnold Majaivana (Tshuma) whom I think stood head and shoulders above the rest,” said Masuku.
The Bosso coach said he was now bracing for the league encounter.
“I would not even have been worried if we had lost to Dynamos because cup games are tricky.
“Cup games are very difficult but when we play the league, it will be a different ball game altogether and we will have another different strategy,” said Masuku.
The win was a good revenge for Highlanders who lost 2-0 to Dynamos in last year’s final.

Teams
Dynamos: W. Arubi, D. Kutyauripo, A. Mbara, G. Magariro, M. Makopa, G. Zhokinyi, T. Muparati (F. Vimisayi 75th min), D. Maringwa, M. Murape (W. Kupera 83rd min), R. Mutuma (P. Kumbula 64th min), M. Vengesayi,
Highlanders: L. Makwavarara, B. Banda, L. Nkomo, I. Mapuranga, R. Kutsanzira, G. Ncube (M. Mburayi 65th min) E. Mudzingwa, V. Nzombe (B. Ndlovu 76th min), N. Ncube, G. Lunga, A. Tshuma