Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GIANTS Dynamos will need to perform a delicate balancing act in the remainder of the 2025 season, as they juggle between the Chibuku Super Cup title defence and the battle for survival in the Castle Lager Premiership.
The Glamour Boys edged closer to their dream when they booked an unprecedented third consecutive Chibuku Super Cup final slot on Sunday. But on the other side, they are also staring stark realities of relegation in their face.
On Sunday, Kelvin Kaindu’s men put behind them their troubles to knock out bitter rivals Highlanders from the Chibuku Super Cup courtesy of a penalty shoot-out.
The game had ended 1-1 after regulation time, thanks to second-half substitute Melikhaya Ncube whose header necessitated a tie-break after cancelling out an exquisite first half volley by DeMbare skipper Emmanuel Jalai.
Nonetheless, DeMbare emerged 5-3 winners at the end of an exhibition of brilliant kicks taken from the spot by both sides in Sunday’s semi-final.
Bosso’s young forward Prince Ndlovu was the Fall Guy after he crashed his effort against the woodwork to hand DeMbare the advantage.
Somehow Dynamos have established themselves as penalty specialists in this competition because they have won all their Chibuku Super Cup matches in similar fashion this year.
Temptation Chiwunga, Jalai, Felix Hammond, Tellmore Pio and Abel Gwatidzo all converted from the spot to complete a remarkable feat for the Glamour Boys, who became the first team to qualify for three consecutive Chibuku Super Cup finals.
But it is a world of contrasts for DeMbare coach Kelvin Kaindu and his charges.
While Dynamos have been dominant in the Chibuku Super Cup, their performance in the league marathon has been nothing short of disappointing, leading to the recent hiring of the Zambian gaffer.
DeMbare spent most of the season rooted second from the bottom of the log table.
Although they have witnessed remarkable transformation under Kaindu, winning five games and drawing thrice, they still remain locked in the relegation matrix with only three games remaining in the campaign.
“Sometimes you would wish this was a league game so that we move forward,” said Kaindu after the Cup win over his former club, Bosso.
“But I give the credit to the team for us to be where we are in terms of position on the log standings.
“When I joined the team, I think the gap was just too huge. Despite the games that we have won, we still remain in the same position. But now it’s one win that could make a huge difference.
“We will get back to the league competition and just hope that we focus. Probably the only consolation that can help us as we celebrate surviving relegation is for us to get our hands on the Chibuku Super Cup,” said Kaindu.
DeMbare will host fellow relegation candidates Bikita Minerals at Rufaro this Sunday when the marathon returns. They will also be at home for the final two league games against Yadah and FC Platinum, as they hope to rise from the current 16th place to a position of safety.
Four teams will face the chop and DeMbare are currently one of the four. Their captain Emmanuel Jalai has remained optimistic and is also aware of the gruelling road ahead.
“It’s been a tough season considering where we are on the log standings, and credit to the boys for pushing,” said Jalai.
“But there is still a lot of work to be done. I am happy for scoring that goal but we have to concentrate on the league competition which is coming up next weekend.”
Rarely is his name found on the scoresheet, but the diminutive fullback atoned for this handicap when he scored a beautiful volley against Highlanders on Sunday.
Quite remarkably, DeMbare have won all their cup games this season courtesy of penalty shoot-outs.
They kicked off their campaign with a 4-2 shoot-out win against Yadah in the preliminary round, before delivering knock-out blows from the spot to Simba Bhora (first round), ZPC Kariba (quarter-finals) and then Highlanders (semi-finals).
DeMbare are marching towards a record Chibuku Super Cup hat-trick, having won the 2023 and 2024 editions in succession.
They will meet 2018 winners Triangle in the final. The Lowveld side is under the tutelage of their former coach Genesis Mangombe.
Ironically, Mangombe was in charge of the Glamour Boys when they lifted their maiden Chibuku Super Cup two years ago.
Triangle are gunning for a second title. They edged hosts MWOS 2-0 in the semis at Ngoni on Saturday, thanks to goals from Witness Shave and Menford Mudzimu.
They will return to Ngoni this Saturday to resume their battle for survival in the league against MWOS.
Fixtures:
Saturday: TelOne v GreenFuel (Ascot), MWOS v Triangle (Ngoni), Chicken Inn v CAPS Utd (Luveve), Manica Diamonds v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Sakubva), Simba Bhora v Highlanders (Wadzanayi), Herentals v Yadah (Rufaro), ZPC Kariba FC Platinum (Nyamhunga)
Sunday: Kwekwe Utd v Scottland (Ascot), Dynamos v Bikita Minerals (Rufaro)
