Online Reporter
DEFENDING champions Dynamos might be having their struggles in the league championship, but they do not appear ready to relinquish their special relationship with the Chibuku Super Cup.
And it was underrated goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni who once again proved to be Dynamos’ penalty shoot-out hero, coming off the bench with three minutes of normal time remaining to inspire his team to a quarter-final win against Simba Bhora at Wadzanai Stadium yesterday.
Dynamos had fought their way from behind to level matters at 1-1 and push the encounter into penalties, now dubbed “Makoni time’’ by the Harare giants’ fans.
As it became increasingly evident that the game would be decided on penalties, as there is no extra-time in the early rounds of the Chibuku Super Cup, Dynamos new coach Kelvin Kaindu turned to the second-choice goalkeeper, Makoni, for inspiration.
Makoni lived up to expectations, thwarting Simba Bhora in a similar style to the one he used when Dynamos dispatched Yadah in the preliminary round.
The goalkeeper justified the faith shown in him by his coach when diving to his right to block Namibian Issak Guirirab’s effort to give his side an advantage.
With Dynamos leading 4-3 in the lottery, Simba Bhora’s Donald Mudadi blasted his effort over the bar to hand Dynamos a ticket to the next round.
Dynamos penalty takers, one after the other, Emmanuel Jalai, Clive Mandivei, Felix Hammond and Frank Agyemayang were clinical from the spot.
For Simba Bhora, Never Tigere, Webster Tafa and Barnabas Mutuche converted their efforts.
Yet the hosts got off to a blistering start in normal time when Boid Mutukure thrust them into a fifth-minute lead, rising highest to head home a well-delivered corner.
A tactical change in the second half that saw Kaindu introducing the trio of Enasio Perezio, Denver Mukamba and Hammond Felix brought urgency into their attack.
The persistence paid off in the 81st minute when Felix found the leveller off a moment of brilliance from Denver Mukamba.
Kaindu applauded his side for showing determination.
“The team showed a lot of determination and character apart from the goal we conceded,” he said. “We looked good in terms of transition going forward, but I am happy with the substitutions we did. They changed the game for us and connected for the goal.
“The win means a lot; you see how our fans celebrated after the game. It shows that they have been denied this for quite a long time.’’
Simba Bhora coach Joel Luphahla conceded defeat and is now focused on the league and the CAF Champions League.
“I am happy with my boys; we can’t fault them. The goal we conceded, maybe the boys were tired and lost concentration,” he said.
“We have lost the Chibuku Super Cup and now we will be focusing on the league and Champions League.”
MWOS know how to make an entrance
In their debut Premiership season, they went 17 games unbeaten.
Now, in their first-ever Chibuku Super Cup outing, they have marked the occasion with a statement 2-0 win, knocking out the “Cup Kings”, CAPS United.
Two-time champions FC Platinum were also sent packing via a 3-5 defeat by Manica Diamonds at Mandava after the two sides had been deadlocked 0-0 in regulation time.
But for MWOS and their lively band of Norton supporters, it was redemption time.
Coming off a five-match winless run in the league, MWOS poured their frustrations into this fixture, sealing victory with second-half goals from Nigel Matinha and Arthur Banda.
From the onset, Lloyd Mutasa’s men had an upper hand.
They dominated every department, forcing CAPS to chase second balls.
CAPS had a brief spark in the 16th minute when Congolese striker Mutshimba Mugalu slipped through the defence and crossed into the box, but no teammate was in position to convert.
Adam Tende’s foul soon after gave Moffat Aboubakar a free-kick just outside the area, but Tafadzwa George could not capitalise.
Banda then surged towards goal before being cut off by a defender, winning another free-kick.
Aboubakar’s thunderbolt effort went straight at CAPS goalkeeper Stephen Odai, who punched it clear.
The visitors brought on Kundai Benyu after the break, hoping to inject creativity into a midfield missing Tanaka Shandirwa.
But MWOS still looked sharper, creating two early chances that George and Tinotenda Mutyambizi failed to finish.
Nigel Matinha finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, bursting through the middle and unleashing a powerful strike into the top left corner for MWOS.
The home crowd erupted.
Banda almost doubled the lead in the 79th minute, his effort sailing over the bar.
Six minutes later, he made no mistake, cutting in from the left and firing from distance to seal the win.
Mutasa capped the outing by handing 15-year-old Ethan Tamson his debut in added time.
“I give thanks to God for the victory. With where we are coming from, we badly needed this and I’m happy the boys responded well,” he said.
“At half time, we talked about ball retention and I gave the boys a thumbs-up for a spectacular first half. Our fans came in numbers and even when things aren’t going well, they’re there. The least we could do was give them something to celebrate.”
CAPS coach Ian Bakala was blunt about his team’s shortcomings.
“Sometimes I’m sure people can see we’ve always conceded goals like that. It’s something we’ve tried to work on, but we still have to go back and introspect,” he said.
“The players need to understand that CAPS United is a big club and everyone has to work for the badge. Only then can we win games. It’s disappointing to be knocked out in the first round.”
Penalty heartbreak keeps TelOne’s Chibuku curse alive
TelOne’s Chibuku Super Cup misery continued yesterday as they fell 5-4 on penalties to Bikita Minerals at Ascot, crashing out in the first round for yet another year.
The tie had ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Tinaye Tsimba put the visitors ahead in the first half before substitute Tawanda Macheke levelled shortly after the restart.
Tsimba then sealed the win in the shootout with the final spot kick for the Lithium Boys.
Spencer Mugariri, Tadiwanashe Murasiranwa, Chelsea Nyakope and Felix Moyo also converted for Bikita Minerals.
For TelOne, Calvin Chigara, Bruno Mtigo, Leeroy Murape and Macheke had found their range, but Allan Chapinduka blazed his effort over the bar to hand the visitors victory.
The defeat means the Wi-Fi Boys still have not advanced past the first round of the tournament in all their attempts.
Coach Herbert Maruwa was frustrated that his side failed to settle the match in regulation time.
“Very disappointed to be losing, we conceded a silly goal after a mistake, but came back in the second half to score. We created a lot of opportunities, creating chance after chance, but failing to score,” he said.
“Then penalties are a lottery, any team can win.”
Making a rare start, Lucky Ndlela endured a nightmare return to the team, gifting Bikita a chance that Tsimba pounced on.
Despite falling behind, TelOne had the better chances in the first half.
Gerald Bero’s curling free-kick rattled the upright and Nqosiyabo Masilela’s dipping shot forced Wellington Mangwana into a fingertip save.
Maruwa made two early changes, bringing on Murape and Macheke for Ndlela and Bero.
Macheke almost made an instant impact, but was slow to react to Washington Navaya’s pass.
TelOne began the second half brightly.
Frank Makarati nearly scrambled in an equaliser from a goalmouth melee, moments after the restart, and Masilela’s header soon after struck the post.
Bikita were pinned back for much of the half, but almost regained the lead through a counter involving Courage Bera and Tsimba, only for Eriya Mafirenyika to produce a last-ditch block.
TelOne kept pressing, but Murape and Macheke missed clear chances late on.
Bikita coach Wilson Mutekede was pleased with his side’s resilience.
“I think we had a good game; very competitive.
“We got our first goal from the first chance, although we allowed them to come back. I’m happy we managed to hold on for the penalties,” he said.
