Chronicle Editor
Eddie Chikamhi, Senior Sports Reporter
Dynamos 3-1 ZPC Kariba
DONALD Mudadi was simply unplayable yesterday as giants Dynamos kicked off their defence of the Chibuku Super Cup title with a dominant display against ZPC Kariba at Rufaro.
The midfielder was involved in all three goals that were scored by Dynamos, after breaking the ice in the 14th minute and then setting up Emmanuel Paga and Nomore Chinyerere on either side of the half-time break.
For the duration that he was on the pitch, before limping off with signs of exhaustion in the 76th minute, Mudadi provided both hope and entertainment to the DeMbare faithful, who had watched their side crumbling in mediocrity for most of the season.
Nyasha Gurende pulled one back from a well-choreographed free kick in the 86th minute but it was too late for any hopes of a comeback by the visitors.
And, it was another good day in the office for DeMbare, who are working their way up again under interim coach Lloyd Chigowe.
The coach was pleased by Mudadi’s form after recovering from a series of injuries earlier in the season.
“Since last week, Donald Mudadi has been showing signs of coming back to form and I think today he was live and spot on,” said Chigowe.
Mudadi put DeMbare ahead with a brilliant long range strike that goalkeeper Future Sibanda could not match after he was deceived by a half-hearted clearance by his defenders from a free kick.
Playing with renewed confidence and sense of pride that has been the hallmark of this Dynamos side of late, the midfielder was rewarded for his adventurous spirit when he hit the ball hard from approximately 35 yards after it had ricocheted off the wall from a tame free kick by Paga.
Mudadi turned provider in the 20th minute when he raced all the distance from the centre circle and set up Paga inside the box for an easy finish after beating an offside trap.
DeMbare could have extended their lead shortly before the half time break when Valentine Kadonzvo burst into the box with an excellent show of skill but his low cross rolled across the face of goal with no takers.
However, the Glamour Boys still managed to get the third goal just moments after the breather courtesy of Chinyerere.
Mudadi was again the man behind the assist after threading a neat pass behind the ZPC Kariba defence line to the wide left flank from the centre circle.
Chinyerere reacted by sprinting into the box and placing the ball beyond the reach of the advancing goalkeeper.
Chigowe then had the luxury of introducing highly-rated teenage forward Vusa Ngwenya, who did not disappoint.
Despite this being the first time this season that DeMbare have scored three goals in one match, their coach Chigowe was however not happy with the performance.
“I’m pleased with the result but not the overall performance,” he said.
“We had lapses in concentration and I think over-confidence which does not bode well for future assignments. Otherwise it’s good that we are through to the next round.”
ZPC Kariba’s Samuel Makawa watched with dismay as his shot sailed wide at the backpost midway through the second-half following a defensive lapse in the DeMbare box.
But Gurende reduced the arreas with four minutes of regulation time remaining.
DeMbare were fooled by the rehearsed movements behind the dead ball by the ZPC Kariba players before Gurende curled it wide of the goalkeeper and into the top corner.
ZPC Kariba coach Newton Chitewe felt his team lost it when they allowed DeMbare to score twice inside the opening 20 minutes.
Although pleased by introducing teenage midfielders Genius Hute and Ian Sabelo, Chitewe was also not amused by the missed chances by his team.
“I think we did not play well in the first half. We did let Dynamos play and as a result conceded two goals in the early minutes. We made some defensive blunders but we had a good second half. I think the introduction of our youngsters helped us to attack more. We had more scoring chances but we could not convert,” said Chitewe.
Teams:
Dynamos:
Prince Tafiremutsa, Nomore Chinyerere, Tendaishe Magwaza, Frank Makarati, Donald Mudadi (E Ilunga, 76th min), Temptation Chiunga, Shadreck Nyahwa, Emmanuel Paga (I Sadiki, 76th min), Alexander Mandinyenya (E Ziocha, 63rd min), Valentine Kadonzvo (E Moyo, 46th min),
ZPC Kariba:
Future Sibanda, Nigel Kupara (T Chidhobha, 76th min), Marshall Gavaza, Nyasha Gurende, Kuzivaishe Madima, Collen Muleya, Bornface Zuberi (G Hute, 60th min), Fanwell Shoko, Samuel Makawa (T Makarioe, 76th min), Ashwin Karengesha (S Ngala, 53rd min), Alois Gwanzura (I Sibelo 60th min)
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