Lack of fitness cost DeMbare

In a post-match interview Pasuwa blamed the loss on lack of fitness.
Hwange, inspired by striker Francisco Zvikumbawire who scored a brace, booked a date with FC Platinum in the final at the expense of the Glamour Boys.
“My boys are not yet match-fit hence we paid the price as the other team was more clinical than us.”

“This is one of the days when you look at the performance of the team and find no visible blemish as the boys tried their best in the game but we simply could not bury the chances that came our way,” said Pasuwa.
Dynamos found Hwange goalkeeper Petros Mhari and impressive centreback Aaron Katebe unyielding.
Pasuwa said the team’s main focus was the Caf Champions League and he took the match as a wake-up call for his charges.
“I am obviously disappointed with the result and it was infuriating to see our best chances go begging but this is just the beginning and we have to take this defeat as a wake-up call especially since we are going to the Caf Champions League which is to be our main focus now,” he said.

Veteran Murape Murape, who barely lasted 10 minutes on the pitch as he got red-carded for foul-mouthing referee Philani Ncube, said the match official had been harsh on him as he had asked for him to control the game in a fair manner.
“My dismissal was not fair at all because I did not insult the referee or taunt him in any way. All I said was that he should control the game in a fair manner and that had me seeing red,” he alleged. However, Ncube insisted at the end of the match that Murape and Guthrie Zhokinyi had used foul language. The central defender was red-carded after the end of the match while still on the pitch.

Meanwhile, Hwange coach Nation Dube had only praise for his players and expressed satisfaction with the way the team was gelling together.
“The boys played beautifully today and I am quite satisfied. I think we deserved to win today as our counter-attacks always looked dangerous. Besides, we played a nice open game that I hope was interesting to the fans.
“But I have to single out the performances of Francisco, the goal scorer, Petros Mhari our outstanding goalkeeper, Ocean Mpofu who masterminded the midfield and Aaron Katebe our star defender who was rock solid.

“We now hope to transfer our form to the African Safari when we go there,” said a proud Dube.
Two-goal hero Zvikumbawire had his pace to thank for his double.

“The coach told us to catch DeMbare on the counter-attack and my pace was a defining factor in the match as I could get to the long balls and even outpace my opponents hence I scored my two goals,” he said.
The rock in defence for Hwange, Katebe, expressed his happiness at getting to the Bob 88 final.

“This is something I had hoped for but the task seemed an uphill one considering our opponents but we have done it and the boys are happy and I am proud of my performance and that of the team,” said Katebe.
Washington Arubi pulled one back for DeMbare with a scorcher of a freekick.