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From Paul Mundandi in Triangle
Dynamos …………………………………………………….(0) 1
Tripple B……………………………………………………. (0) 0
DEFENDING Mbada Cup champions Dynamos eased into the quarter finals of this year’s edition after getting the better of a stubbon Tripple B in a first round match played at Gibbo Stadium in Triangle. Surely there was no complaint from Tripple B as Dynamos were propelled into the quarter finals of the prestigious cup by substitute Clive Kawinga.
Kawinga’s strike in the 81st minute silenced the Tripple B fans as he struck a beauty.
The 25-year-old striker was elated and he removed his jersey in celebration. Kawinga has always been doing this at training and Pasuwa has always been fining him and despite the goal yesterday he is likely to get another fine from his coach.
“I am very happy to have scored and I hope to continue with my form. It was not my individual brilliance but we played and won as a team. I give credit to my team mates,” said Kawinga.
Roving utility player Oscar “Mahindra” Machapa who was voted man-of-the-match and went home $500 richer also applauded his teammates.
“I am happy that my effort is being recognised. I am improving with each and every game. I am very excited that we won,” said Machapa who is eyeing the Mbada Cup and league championship double with his new club Dynamos.
Dynamos chairman Kenny Mubaiwa was an elated man yesterday after the defending champions eliminated a stubborn Tripple B out of the rich Mbada Diamonds Cup.
“We failed to get the BancABC Sup8r Cup and there are only two trophies left that are worth playing for. We need the Mbada Cup and the league championship and we are definitely going to get the two and there is no doubt about that,” said Mubaiwa.
Mubaiwa was very confident and he again showed his faith in his championship winning coach Callisto Pasuwa.
During the season some sections were calling for Pasuwa’s exit but the defiant chairman kept faith in his coach who has won the league cup and the Mbada cup twice in a row. The win yesterday also means that Pasuwa is likely to make it to the final and keep the trophy for keeps.
“We need the trophy and we are going to put a 120 percent effort to defend the cup. Every team in the premiership wants to beat us and the performance by Tripple B this afternoon was shocking but I am happy that we managed to sail through to the next round,” said Pasuwa.
Tripple B director Eddioe Kanyau was impressed by his teams performance despite falling at the first hurdle.
“It was a very fair result. We might have lost but I am impressed since the lucky team of the day won. It was not our day and it was made worse by the fact that we were putting on the wrong kit no wonder we lost. Officiating by the match officials was perfect and as Tripple B we do not have even a single complaint,” he said
Tripple B coach Peter Manoti who had taunted Dynamos the whole week conceded defeat but still boasted that his team had lived to their word.
“I was not joking when I warned Dynamos as you have seen that we lived up to our word. They only got it right because they have depth and the introduction of Kawinga gave them an advantage as they moved a gear up.
“The referees did a wonderful job and not looking at the Mbada Cup I just hope that the match officials will maintain their good work,” said Manoti.
The PSL boss Twine Phiri who was among the crowd that braved the chilly weather and rain was also happy with the performance of both clubs.
“It was a good match and I am excited that we managed to get a winner in 90 minutes. The weather was not favourable but the match was exciting and I was almost worried that the match was to spill into penalties as there was bad lighting in the stadium,” said Phiri.
With Highlanders, Hwange, Chicken Inn, Caps United, Buffaloes, Harare City, Dynamos and How Mine making it into the quarter finals, it will be interesting to see the club that is going to walk home with $130 000 and the Mbada Cup.
Online Reporter