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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
Dynamos 2-1 Caps United
DYNAMOS newboy Erick Opoku dished out a glimpse of what could be in store for the new season when he scored on his debut for the Glamour Boys to give the Harare giants victory over arch-rivals Caps United in the semi-finals of the ZNA Charities match at Rufaro yesterday.
The Ghanaian was given a starting place for the first time yesterday and his 15th minute goal was one of the highlights of the match after both sides had rested their entire first teams in preparation for the new season.
Opoku gave DeMbare the assurance goal after Patrick Khumbula had put David “Yogi” Mandigora’s men in the lead early in the match with a rising effort after getting acres of space inside the box five minutes into the game.
Former Highlanders midfielder Hillary Madzivanyika, who is on trial at the Green Machine, reduced the arrears when he scrambled the ball home on 31 minutes after the Dynamos defenders had failed to deal decisively with a corner kick.
DeMbare could have made it three before the half-time break but Young Warriors midfielder Carlos Rusere’s brilliantly struck effort on the edge of the box was denied by the crossbar in the 44th minute.
Dynamos will now meet old rivals Highlanders in the final on a date to be given by the Premier Soccer League after the Bulawayo giants dispatched Luke Masomere’s star-studded How Mine 1-0 at Barbourfields yesterday.
The Glamour Boys coach Mandigora said he was hoping to build on the back-to-back wins over their bitter rivals in the last two competitive outings as they prepare for their opening match in defence of the league championship at home against Buffaloes at the National Sports Stadium this coming Saturday.
This was the third time the two giants had clashed in the pre-season following earlier meetings in the Sino-Zim Cement Cup when Makepekepe edged their opponents 6-5 on penalties and last weekend’s Bob Super Cup final won by Dynamos 1-0.
“It’s a good win for our supporters,” said Mandigora.
“They’re happy but for us it’s a pre-season and I think it’s good preparation for our league game next weekend. I can say I’m happy and we’re ready for the league championship.
“The result doesn’t really matter but I think we achieved what we wanted during the pre-season. It’s good also for the supporters and the players to get into the championship with a winning mentality,” said Mandigora.
DeMbare fielded a number of fringe players with newboy Qadr Amini and Walter Mukanga the only survivors from the team that started last week.
They started off well dominating the early exchanges and quickly raced into a deserved lead. Makepekepe, on the other hand, were shaky, lacking in self-confidence and on both occasions they had only themselves to blame.
Khumbula had the worst miss of the match when he failed to connect with his head a cross from Rusere from the left flank. However, it appeared the nearside assistant referee had his flag up for off-side.
The burly striker quickly made amends when he found himself unmarked with enough space before unleashing a rising shot that beat goalkeeper Itai Chiwara.
Opoku then demonstrated excellent technique when DeMbare caught Makepekepe on a counter-attack with a long ball from the goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga.
Teams
Dynamos: T. Mateyaunga, B. Moyo, Q. Amini, E. Muroiwa, N. Gandari, M. Makopa, W. Mukanga, C. Rusere (C. Sekete, 57th minute), E. Opoku (K. Chimbadzwa, 59th minute), O. Machapa, P. Khumbula (F. Mupasiri, 88th minute).
Caps United: I. Chiwara, V. Musarurwa (B. Nyamuzihwa, 75th minute), T. Chiworeso, C. Mutero, G. Nyirenda, L. Ahoka, H. Madzivanyika, T. Muskwe (Z. Biseck, 61st minute), C. Machisi, K. Nyamufukudza, I. Thindwa (T. Munaapi, 69th minute).
Online Reporter