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DeMbare, who had hoped to compensate for the early Champions League exit by making their mark in the second tier competition, needed at least a scoring draw to make it to the mini-league after drawing 0-0 in the first leg at Rufaro two weeks ago.
But their dream was shattered in the 36th minute when Interclube striker Manucho got to the end of a through pass from the middle to fire home the only goal of the match. Interclube’s decision to open the gates for free paid dividends as the vociferous home crowd created an electrifying atmosphere in this compact 8 000-seater stadium that was packed to capacity.
The Angolans, who needed to score in yesterday’s match to enhance their chances, attacked from the beginning with Dynamos doing most of the defensive work early on.
The hosts made full use of he wings and were always quick on the offensive although they could not create clear chances. Crowd favourite, Alex, and Nuno were always a thorn in the flesh because of their skill and pace which the DeMbare wingbacks found difficult to keep up with.
With a bit of luck, Cape Verde international, Alex, who supplied most of the crosses that troubled the visitors in the first half, could have found himself on the scoresheet when he attempted a curling shot from the edge of the box but his effort came off the cross bar in the 28th minute.
DeMbare were on the backfoot for most of the time as they tried to stem the pressure from the home team who were spurred on by the huge support from a coalition of their fans and those from rival side Primera Agosto as Angola stood together for a national cause.
Dynamos had done well to quell the raids but they got into trouble in the 36th minute when Manucho got to the end of a ball from the middle and fired a low shot that beat a diving Washington Arubi.
The South Africa-bound goalkeeper was left exposed after the defenders assumed that Botswana referee Joshua Bondo would blow his whistle as midfielder Nary controlled the ball with both hands before threading a neat through pass.
The goal was met protests from the Dynamos players who felt shortchanged by the referee’s decision to wave play on.
DeMbare then had a good chance in the 42nd minute as Tawanda Muparati, who had a good game in the middle of the park as they combined well with Tichaona Mabvura, took his chance but the Interclube goalkeeper Mario went down to make a good save.
Muparati, who of late has been struggling with his game, then turned two men at the edge of the box, just before the half-time whistle, and took a crack at goal but one of the defenders, Pingo, recovered quickly to make a timely interception.
DeMbare came from the breather with more urgency as they looked for the equaliser and Muparati conjured a move, from a difficult position, to release Rodrick Mutuma.
The DeMbare forward again found goalkeeper Mario equal to the task.
To their credit, Interclube managed to hold their nerve and were quickly back on the offensive as the Alex beat two defenders inside the box to set up Nary but the midfielder miscued his effort into the skies.
DeMbare coach Calisto Pasuwa sensed the need for more pace as the Angolans were tiring and threw into the fray speedy winger Martin Vengesai for the limping Takesure Chinyama in the 72nd minute.
The goal, however, remained elusive and the technical team had to gamble with one more striker, Derrick Kabwe, who was introduced in the 84th minute to replace Mabvura.“The guys played well but we
couldn’t take our chances. They had one good chance and they utilised it, which made the difference.
“I think we were too casual when we conceded because the defenders just stopped marking thinking the whistle would blow for handball,” said Pasuwa.
Interclube coach, Bernadino Pedroto, praised his charges and gave credit to Dynamos for their fighting spirit.
“This was a very difficult game. Dynamos played well and they gave everything into the game but the difference at the end of the day is the result.
“We scored a goal and they didn’t,” said Pedroto.
Teams
Dynamos: W. Arubi, D. Kutyauripo, O. Mushure, G. Zhokinyi, G. Magariro, P. Jaure (A. Kaseloki, 79th minute), M. Makopa, T. Mabvura (D. Kabwe, 84th minute), T. Muparati, T. Chinyama (M. Vengesai, 72nd minute), R. Mutuma
Interclube: Mario, Kito, Nuno, Alex, Nary (Bebe, 84th minute), Pingo, Paty (Minguito, 62nd minute), Joel, Manucho, Pirolito (Lara, 76th minute), Kialunda.
Online Reporter