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Curtworth Masango, Sports Reporter
TATENDA MAKONI has hardly grabbed attention at Dynamos as he languishes down the Harare giants’ goalkeepers’ pecking order.
Yesterday he emerged an unlikely hero when he rose from the bench at Rufaro with a specific task — that of thwarting Yadah Stars in the penalty shout-out lottery.
The two teams’ Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final encounter had ended 1-1 in regulation time and first-choice Martin Mapisa made way for Makoni just before the referee blew to end the contest when it had become inevitable that the game was heading to penalties.
Makoni later told Zimpapers Sports Hub that he has been working on saving penalties in recent days.
He got his due reward as he stopped Ariel Makopa’s effort to hand Dynamos a 5-3 win in the penalties.
Makoni has had the least of game time with Pince Tafiremutsa often deputising Mapisa.
He, however, made the most of the opportunity he got yesterday.
“For the past few days we have been training for the penalties but we needed to win the game in regulation time.
“In training, I believe I showed that I am capable of saving penalties and I had the confidence coming in,” Makoni said.
“Making the penalty save makes me feel very happy and is a big motivation for me. I feel if the need arises next time, I will be able to help the team again.
“Of course, I have had less time to play but I believe the time will come and I will be even better.
“Last year I was called for trials in Spain at Granada, but I believe I can still reach that level again.
“When I went to Granada last season, I believe I wasn’t mature yet and I believe God always gives people another chance to correct their mistakes.
“I believe that I am correcting the mistakes and I will reach the level that I want,” he said.
Dynamos head coach, Lloyd Chigowe acknowledged Makoni’s capabilities with kicks from the penalty spot.
“At training, he has shown that of our three goalkeepers he is a penalty shot stopper and came to the party at the right moment. The one save was good enough to take us through to the next round,” said Chigowe.
With their Chibuku Cup triumph, Dynamos ended a two-match win-less streak that came at the hands of CAPS United and Chicken Inn in league matches at Rufaro.
Online Reporter