Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango & Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
DYNAMOS kept their Chibuku Super Cup hopes alive in dramatic fashion yesterday, edging Yadah 4-3 on penalties at Norton’s Ngoni Stadium. The match ended goalless in regulation, but substitute goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni once again played the role of hero, pulling off a key save and watching another Yadah effort sail over the bar.
Makoni, brought on in the 86th minute for Prince Tafiremutsa, guessed right to deny Takunda Varretta. Then, as nerves mounted, Vincent Sango blasted Yadah’s final spot-kick over the bar, sending the Dynamos bench into celebration.
“I train for moments like this,” said Makoni, calm as ever after another shootout win.
“I knew I could deliver when called upon. This win is a boost for the team. We’re rebuilding, and every victory counts. Now, we focus on Simba Bhora.”
The victory was a near carbon copy of last October’s clash between these sides, when Makoni also saved the day from the spot. Dynamos fans may be hoping penalties come more often.
In open play, the Harare giants had early chances through Wisdom Mutasa, who missed narrowly in the 16th minute. Yadah responded with Evans Rusike drawing a sharp save from Tafiremutsa just before halftime.
The second half saw both teams pushing for a winner. Denver Mukamba stung the gloves of Taimon Mvula, and Yadah nearly snatched it in the 90th minute when Ryan Ncube was denied one-on-one by Makoni.
The win sends Dynamos into the round of 16, where they’ll face Simba Bhora in Shamva on Sunday. It’s a timely lift for the Glamour Boys, who’ve now registered two straight wins, one in regular time and the other by shootout.
Meanwhile, attention now shifts to Zvishavane where Triangle United host Kwekwe United today in the second and final preliminary match of the round. It’s a chance for Triangle to reset after a tough league campaign.
“It will not be an easy assignment for us. We need to raise our game and be at our very best,” said Triangle coach Genesis Mangombe.
“Cup games are usually not predictable. We will go there and make sure we get what we want.”
Triangle are expected to dominate against a struggling Kwekwe side but aren’t taking anything for granted.
“We will not underestimate them. Doing so can work to our disadvantage,” Mangombe added. The match is also an opportunity to restore belief in a side that’s had little to cheer this season.
The winner of today’s game will meet Ngezi Platinum Stars in the next round, with the full first-round lineup set to unfold this weekend.
Chibuku Super Cup First Round Fixtures (Aug 9–10):
Simba Bhora v Dynamos (Wadzanayi),
MWOS v Caps United (Ngoni),
Scottland v Green Fuel (TBA),
TelOne v Bikita Minerals (Ascot),
FC Platinum v Manica Diamonds (Mandava),
Ngezi Platinum Stars v Triangle/Kwekwe United (Baobab),
ZPC Kariba v Chicken Inn (Nyamhunga),
Herentals v Highlanders (TBA).
