DEMBARE STUN ORAPA UTD

Fungai Muderere in FRANCISTOWN, Botswana

Orapa United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1

A LATE strike by substitute Valentine Kadonzvo was all that Dynamos needed to beat Orapa United of Botswana in a Caf Confederation Cup second-round, first leg match at Obed Itani Stadium yesterday.

Kadonzvo, who scored from just outside the box, was introduced in the 75th minute for Emmanuel Paga.

In the first instalment of this inter-club contest that drew a sizeable crowd despite the simmering heat in the western neighbouring country.

The heat could not deter the drum-beating DeMbare fans from backing their beloved club.

The Glamour Boys were the more dominant of the two sides with holding midfielder Shadreck Nyahwa dictating the pace in the middle of the park alongside Donald Mudadi.

Mudadi later fizzled out at a time when Dynamos were continuously let down by poor finishing with Elton Chikona, Nomore Chinyerere, and Paga being the chief culprits.

It was no wonder that Lloyd “Mablanyo” Chigowe pulled out Mudadi for Tanaka Shandirwa in the 6oth minute.

Moments later, in search of the elusive goal, the Glamour Boys made a double substitution when they introduced Eli ILunga and Freddy Alick for ineffective Chinyerere and Chikona.

On the other hand, the hosts, in a bid to energise their attack, brought in Erick Ookame for Kamgelo Moloi.

However, it was Kadonzvo’s solitary strike that made the difference in a match that was watched by ex-Highlanders coach Mandla Mpofu and the club’s former striker Zenzo Moyo among other Zimbabweans, who are based in Botswana.

“I told the boys that we travelled for a win. We got the goal towards the end of the match which does not give a good reflection of a match that we dominated. However, it’s a job well done despite our wanting travelling arrangements,” said Chigowe.

His opposite number Gadimang Tiiso conceded defeat.

“We lost to one of the best clubs in Zimbabwe. It was a game of two halves, we cannot kill the boys. They did well defensively only to concede in the last minutes of the match. We tried to match Dynamos, I think we will do well in the second leg. Dynamos were very compact,” said a dejected Tiiso.

DeMbare are next weekend set to play host to bruised Orapa United at the same venue.