Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda and Ray Bande, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Dynamos 0-0 ZPC Kariba
(Dynamos won 4-2 on penalties)
DYNAMOS are living on the edge in the Chibuku Super Cup, but they are still just two wins from an unprecedented third straight title. Yesterday, they again fired blanks in open play, yet found a way to reach the semi-finals, edging ZPC Kariba 4-2 on penalties at Rufaro Stadium.
It was their third successive shoot-out escape in this year’s competition. They needed penalties to get past Yadah in the preliminary round, again against Simba Bhora in the first round, and once more against ZPC Kariba. In 90 minutes, goals remain stubbornly elusive.
Coach Kelvin Kaindu, admitted his side could have finished the game early.
“With a bit of luck, we could have wrapped up the game in the first half. Today, it was a bit tense maybe because it was a cup game,” he said.
Captain Emmanuel Jalai, scored first in the shoot-out, followed by Denver Mukamba, Felix Hammond and Vusa Ngwenya. ZPC Kariba’s Fanuel Shoko and Samuel Makawa missed their kicks, handing Dynamos another narrow escape.
Kaindu even gambled by replacing first-choice goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa with Tatenda Makoni for the shoot-out, a move that paid off when Makoni saved Shoko’s effort.
Mukamba, who has shouldered the creative burden, remains confident they will rediscover their scoring touch before next week’s Harare derby.
“We have to keep working hard. Yes, we are not scoring but I am sure it will be fine soon. Dynamos now need more goals and it’s important that we start scoring. Next week, we play CAPS United, this is a big match, this is the derby my brother and we have to make sure,” he said.
ZPC Kariba coach Newton Chitehwe praised his men despite the heartbreak.
“Anything can happen in the penalty shootout,” he said.
While Dynamos were living dangerously in Harare, Triangle FC were ruthless in Mutare, stunning hosts Manica Diamonds 2-0 in an ill-tempered Eastern Region derby at Sakubva Stadium to claim their own semi-final spot.
The drama began the night before the match when Triangle coach Genesis Mangombe and a staff member were assaulted after reportedly trying to gain entry to the venue to perform rituals.
Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed two arrests in connection with the incident.
On the field, Munashe Bamara opened the scoring three minutes before the break. Manford Mudzimu almost doubled the lead on the stroke of halftime but his shot rattled the crossbar. Tempers flared after the break and referee Brighton Chimene dismissed Manica substitute Fortune Binzi and Triangle pair Ali Maliselo and Jordan Pedra for violent conduct.
Triangle’s victory was sealed in the 69th minute when Witness Shave broke free and finished clinically.
“We had a very difficult first half but we managed to stay in the match and compete favourably. We managed to create scoring opportunities. We are happy that we got the result that we wanted after making the most of the chances we created,” said assistant coach Newson Mtema, who addressed the media in Mangombe’s place.
A dejected Manica Diamonds coach Tafadzwa Mashiri, admitted his side never settled.
“We were just not there. We played badly and our opponents capitalised. They not only created chances but also managed to be clinical in burying those chances. If you do not score, you do not win and that is what exactly happened here,” he said.
The contrasting fortunes of the two giants set up a fascinating semi-final draw. Dynamos continue to lean on nerve and penalty precision, while Triangle have announced themselves as serious contenders by scoring when it counts.
