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Curtworth Masango-Zimpapers Sports Hub
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
Yadah Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
(Dynamos won 4-3 on penalties)
UNDERATED goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni once again proved to be Dynamos’ penalty specialist, coming off the bench to inspire his team to a Chibuku Super Cup preliminary round triumph over Yadah Stars via a shoot-out lottery at Ngoni Stadium yesterday.
Neither side found the breakthrough in regulation time of an otherwise lively encounter by two teams who seemed to put their league championship struggles aside to put on a determined show in search for a place in the weekend’s first round fixtures.
As it became increasingly evident that the game would be decided on penalties as there is no extra-time in the early rounds of the Chibuku Super Cup, Dynamos turned to the Number Two goalkeeper — Makoni — for inspiration.
On a day when Zambian gaffer Kelvin Kaindu finally took charge of DeMbare after securing his work permit on Monday, Makoni lived up to expectations thwarting Yadah Stars in the same competition for the second successive year.
Last year, Dynamos faced Yadah at the quarter-final stage and when there was no winner in normal time, it was Makoni who provided the stumbling block for the Miracle Boys.
Yesterday he was thrown into the fray with four minutes of normal time remaining, coming on for regular Prince Tafiremutsa.
And he justified the faith shown in him by Dynamos when diving to his left to block Takunda Varretta’s effort.
With Dynamos leading the lottery at 3-2, Yadah appeared to have been thrown a huge lifeline when returning DeMbare star man Denver Mukamba had his own penalty saved by Tymon Mvula.
Mukamba, hero of the Dynamos 1-0 win over MWOS in last Saturday’s league show at Rufaro, was soon saved the blushes and from turning villain when Yadah missed their second kick from the spot as Vincent Sango blasted his attempt over the bar.
That sealed Dynamos’ passage to the first round as Emmanuel Jalai, Jairos Kasondo, Temptation Chiwunga and Abel Gwatidzo found the target.
The game itself was a tale of missed chances by either side.
Dynamos threatened early on with Wisdom Mutasa firing wide in the 16th minute, while Yadah’s veteran striker Evans Rusike forced a sharp save from Tafiremutsa before half-time.
Both sides pushed for a winner after the break, with Mukamba, a second-half substitute, testing Mvula.
Yadah’s own substitute Ryan Ncube nearly stole it for Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe’s men right at the death, only for Makoni to deny him in a one-on-one.
With his confidence boosted by his last-minute save, Makoni continued with his heroics in the lottery.
“I train for moments like this.
“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,’’ Makoni said.
Dynamos who have won the last two editions of the Chibuku Super Cup will be hoping to continue with their march in the competition and crucially, their fans will be praying they carry on the winning form in their fight against relegation.
It is the first time that Dynamos have also won two matches on the bounce this year, underscoring the hard times that have hit this fabled club.
On his part, Kaindu, a deeply religious man will be praying his new charges can build on the two wins they have registered for the remainder of their forgettable season.
The Zambian has been hired specifically to steer Dynamos from their lowly 17th place on the log standings into safety in what seems an insurmountable task given that four teams will go under at the end of the season.
For now, Kaindu and the Dynamos family can afford to enthuse over yesterday’s result at Ngoni.
