Dynamos have themselves to blame

DYNAMOS suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Orapa United in the second-leg of the Caf Confederation Cup at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium on Sunday after going into the game with a 1-0 lead.

With US$400 000 assured after 90 minutes, Dynamos collapsed like a deck of cards on a windy day as they allowed Orapa to sail through to the group stages of the Caf Confederation Cup.

With the defeat, Dynamos are now guaranteed just US$50 000 and will look back on this missed opportunity with disappointment.

Despite being favourites, they delivered a mediocre performance on Sunday and lacked grit and enterprise.

The gods appeared to smile on Dynamos coach Lloyd “Mablanyo” Chigowe as his team got a 21st minute penalty. Had it been scored the score line would have read 2-0 and just another goal needed to seal a berth in the group stages.

Regular taker Kevin Moyo took the responsibility for the Seven Million supporters and casually shot at the goalkeeper. The tall goalkeeper dived to the right to stop the tame effort and the resultant goalmouth resulted in the ball crossing the line with busy as a bee forward Emmanuel Pagal who did an excellent job with a high chase and press game in the opposition half, nabbing from point range.

Dynamos players and supporters were up in celebration as the second assistant Robert Henry who was in better view of the action sprinted towards the centre signalling a goal. To everyone’s surprise even the hosts who had not protested, referee Antony Doud called the goal out signalling that Pagal had used his hand to get the ball over.

Orapa had Dynamos sweating in the 25th minute when a low cross sailed through a forest of legs and bodies in the box as the visitors threatened the Zimbabwean giants.

The Batswana FA Cup winners continued to ask questions in the last part of the first half.
Orapa started the second half as threatening as they were in the first half with good build up play, especially on the left wing which had three skilful left-footed stars.

With Elton Chakona out of sorts defensively and in attack, there was always danger when the diamond miners made sweeping attacks on the wing, enjoying superiority in numbers. They knocked the ball around with confidence carving open Dynamos with set play and quick breaks.

Dynamos lost the battle in the crucial midfield department which left the defence quite vulnerable all afternoon and as the match progressed Kevin Moyo, Frank Makarati, Emmanuel Jalai and Donald Dzvinyai were overwhelmed.

Temptation Chiwunga, Lyndon Alick and Shadreck Nyahwa did not provide the grit and enterprise akin to the Dynamos of old, a situation worsened by the off form Chakona. Nomore Chinyerere added a bit of spark on the offensive but it was not enough for the Zimbabwe side.

Matters were worsened when Makarati beat his own goalkeeper Martin Mapisa 25 minutes into the second stanza to level the aggregate 1-1.

The match went to penalties and Chiwunga beat the Orapa goal for Dynamos’ first spot kick. The trio of Valentine Kadonzvo, Eli Illunga and Nomore Chinyerere failed to score, with the Orapa goalkeeper saving two spot kicks, while one went over the bar.

Kesaobaka Thatanyane, Kagisanyo Mungu and Koketso Majafi were on target for the 3-1 win by Orapa.

While the present crop of Dynamos players won the Chibuku Super Cup, they lack the tenacity and tact to compete at this level of competition.

The body language of the boys and application of a set of skills on demand was very poor.
Was it wise for Dynamos to choose the same Botswana venue for the return leg which meant Orapa were at home in both instances?