Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 5
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
SCOTTLAND brandished their sharpness in thorough fashion, putting a sorry Dynamos to the guillotine in this absolute massacre to lift the Castle Challenge Cup before a capacity crowd at Rufaro yesterday.
This was expected to be a close contest between teams that conquered the scene in two of the main top-flight competitions last year.
But it turned out to be a one-sided show, Scottland proving too powerful to handle for a Glamour Boys side that left the pitch not only bruised, but with questions over their capabilities lingering around.
Dynamos were the Chibuku Super Cup kings last year, but they struggled to just keep their heads above water last season, and their performance yesterday corresponded to those struggles.
Their opponents, now under Norman Mapeza, were always spot on, dominating every detail of play, and at times they looked more like they were conducting a routine training session, even affording to be casual and still getting away with it.
It was a tragicomedy show from Dynamos, who are trying to build a new project under returning coach Genesis Mangombe.
Scottland’s new boy Emmanuel Ziocha opened the scoring before Tymon Machope ensured the Mabvuku team went into the break with a comfortable lead.
Then Dynamos totally collapsed, with Walter and Knowledge Musona scoring in succession in the second half, and substitute Khama Billiat put the final nail into the DeMbare coffin.
But well before Ziocha’s 18th minute opener, Scottland looked sharper and more organised.
They circulated the ball with so much precision and comfort just to prove to American hip-hop star Rick Ross who attended the game, that all that he had probably been told by club owner Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya was true about the team. High-ranking Government officials including Defence Oppah Muchinguri and Youth Ministers Tino Machakaire were also in attendance in a clear show that local football has regained its appeal and glitz.
In the field of play, Dynamos offered little resistance to the Scottland fire-power even as their fans roared in the stands.
DeMbare is a totally new project but their vulnerabilities, especially at the back told a bad story.
Even at their worst over the past 20 years, Dynamos have never lost by such a margin. It wasn’t a good sign to see their fans at the Vietnam stand drifting out well before the final whistle. And for Mapeza, the statement victory was the tone he needed going into the season that kicks off this Friday.
Mapeza said: “Well, I am very happy with this victory. This is my third Castle Challenge Cup and to start my reign like this at Scottland is something that I am really happy about.
“The boys played according to instruction. We had to keep possession and that worked well in our favour.
“I would like to congratulate everyone in the team — the board, the executive, the technical team and the players — as well as the fans for this victory.”
Yet Dynamos looked like a team that would go toe to toe with Mabviravira, with goalkeeper Harmony Nare, Leroy Mavunga and Witness Shave showing good glimpses. But their prods in attack lacked enough conviction to threaten their opponents.
Once Ziocha took advantage of the slack marking in a crowded box to score the first goal, DeMbare couldn’t stand the heat anymore.
Trevor Mavunga, twinning Clive Mandivei at central defence looked like an elementary boy and was culpable for the second goal, lackadaisically doing his business with Machope running for the ball.
Mavunga was withdrawn in the second half for Collin Mujuru, who eventually saw red for a second bookable offence, but nothing got any better.
Scottland had a field day, bossing all departments, and Dynamos were exposed in brutal fashion.
Mangombe should start asking himself difficult questions which he needs answers ahead of their PSL opener against TelOne this weekend. Maybe, he will point to the fact that his foreign players weren’t cleared to play this match, and when they do, Dynamos will have the balance that was abundantly lacking in yesterday’s bloodbath.
Teams
Dynamos: Harmony Nare, Shadreck Nyahwa, Elton Njini (Perfect Chikwende 71min), Clive Mandivei, Anotidaishe Gwatidzo (Jairos Kasondo 73min),Trevor Mavunga (Collin Mujuru 46min), Leroy Mavunga, Witness Shave (Enasio Perezo 58min),Tendaishe Magwaza, Tellmore Pio, Mandlenkosi Mlilo (Moses Demera 58min)
Scottland: Nelson Chadya, Kevin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa, Mthokozisi Msebe, Knowledge Musona (Isakar Gurirab 84min), Wal-ter Musona (Nathan Mutasa 86min), Emmanuel Ziocha (Panashe Mutimbanyokanyoka 69min), Abubakar Moffat, Tymon Machope (Khama Billiat Thwala Kwakhe, Issaka Mahommed (Godknows Murwira 69min)
