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Dynamos midfielder Denver Mukamba capped his inspirational performance against youthful Gunners with a brace to propel the defending champions to the semi-finals of the Mbada Diamonds Cup on a bumpy turf at Baghdad Stadium in Kwekwe yesterday.
Mukamba, who was voted man-of-the-match following a standout display, put Dynamos ahead early in the first half when he beat goalkeeper Clayton Dombo from close range in the 13th minute.
Gunners midfielder Moses Muchenje then turned into his own nets just before the halftime whistle to double DeMbare’s advantage.
Mukamba was back on target in the 69th minute to seal victory for the Glamour Boys and take his tally in this tournament to three, including the solitary first round strike in the 1-1 draw against Quelaton at Rufaro.
The lanky midfielder stood out when most of his teammates failed to play their usual game on a pitch that has deteriorated because of years of neglect.
Mukamba walked away $500 richer. He said DeMbare did not want to repeat the same mistake that nearly cost them in the first round when they needed a penalty shootout to eliminate the stubborn Bulawayo side Quelaton after the teams had played 1-1 draw in regulation time.
“I am happy that I scored again in this game but it is for the team,” said Mukamba.
“It shows we are really working hard to maintain the standards that we set ourselves by winning this cup and the league championship last year. Now we are in the semi-finals and it is important to remain focused at this stage,” said Mukamba.
The match started 30 minutes late and DeMbare got off the blocks first with their first opportunity falling to Mukamba who had worked his way past two defenders on the left channel and fired a stinger that was blocked out by the diving goalkeeper for a corner six minutes into play.
But Mukamba was more precise in the 13th minute when he collected the ball inside the penalty box and released a rising shot that nestled into the top corner.
Midfielder Cliff Sekete who had a quiet game against his former paymasters came close in the 23rd minute with a flashing header but his effort was parried out by the goalkeeper.
But DeMbare went for the breather on the upper hand when Ocean Mushure made a spirited run into the Gunners box and released a low cross that Muchenje miscued into his own nets.
Gunners tried to come back in the second half when coach Moses Chunga made a double substitution bringing in Moses Demera and Valentine Ndaba but Dynamos remained strong.
Farai Mupasiri was full of running but never quite in the game and could have done better in the 53rd minute when he received a cross from Sekete but reacted slower as Gunners skipper Pardon Chinungwa cleared the lines.
But a well-positioned Mukamba put the game beyond reach when he drilled home a good cross from substitute Roderick Mutuma. Moments later the heavens opened up to send the fans who had filled the stadium scurrying for cover with just over 10 minutes remaining.
“The supporters have been very fantastic and with their backing, I am sure we can go all the way. Usually it’s not easy to go into a tournament as the holders because you are the team to beat. It’s a challenge but now with the way things are going we have confidence. If we continue working at this rate nothing is impossible,” said Mukamba.
Gunners forward Ishmael Lawe who had a good game together with youthful winger Tapiwa Dephistara said he was shattered by the defeat.
“It’s painful to lose to the same team more than once in one season. Remember they beat us 4-1 the last time we played them in the league. We were looking forward to a revenge this time around but unfortunately we lost again.
“But overall, we played well although it was difficult to play our usual game in the bumpy conditions. The ball sometimes was taking awkward bounces and as Gunners you know we play a passing game, which was difficult in this case. That is football. I think we just failed in basic defending on the instances when they scored,” said Lawe.
Teams:
Dynamos — G. Chigova, T. Magorimbo, O. Mushure, G. Bello, P. Jaure, D. Chafa, T. Muparati, D. Mukamba (A. Kaseloki, 75th minute), F. Mupasiri, C. Sekete (T. Mabvura, 59th minute), S. Sithole (R. Mutuma, 65th minute)
Gunners — C. Dombo, B. Sande (M. Demera, 46th minute), M. Kunyarimwe, P. Chinungwa, W. Kamudyariwo, M. Muchenje, W. Gondo (A. Gwatidzo, 79th minute), J. Jangano, I. Lawe, T. Dephistara, E. Rhappozzoh (V. Ndaba, 46th minute).
Online Reporter