Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Dynamos………………………………………….. (0) 1
FC Hunters………………………………………… (0) 1
(FC Hunters won 4-1 after penalty shootout)
DYNAMOS will finish TROPHYLESS for the first time in FOUR years after their three-year dominance of the Chibuku Super Cup finally came to an end yesterday.
The Glamour Boys, who had won the previous three editions in 2023, 2024 and 2025, bowed out of this year’s competition in agonising fashion.
Second-half substitute Ordain Sira forced the match into a tie-break with a brilliant equaliser in the 86th minute.
Sira’s goal turned the game on its head, after cancelling out Frank Agyemang’s 72nd minute lead from the penalty spot.
DeMbare survived nervous moments towards the end of the match and were relieved when referee Tichaona Mbire blew the final whistle.
But the worst was yet to come.
The body language from the DeMbare supporters as they prepared for the shootout was telling and it was not surprising when they missed their first two kicks.
Moses Demera and Wisdom Mtasa put the Glamour Boys at a disadvantage after FC Hunters’ skipper Ronald Pfumbidzayi, Tamuka Chipango and Junior Meya were on target to get the visitors 3-1 up.
Agyemang kept Dynamos’ slim hopes alive but then FC Hunters had the game in the bag when Elder Chirima beat goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni to give the newboys an unassailable lead.
Dynamos coach Arostica Cooba was emotional after the defeat, and rightly so.
His team had not lost a Chibuku Super Cup game in the last 14 matches in the tournament.
Dynamos had last tasted defeat in the tournament on September 18, 2022, when they went down 2-4 on penalties to FC Platinum after a goalless draw.
“Let me personally apologise, to the supporters. This is a very bad situation for me, the coach because the last three years the club won the Cup and this put more pressure on us,” said Cioaba.
“Personally, I tried to maintain the history, to go into the semi-finals but this is where we are at this moment, maybe this is the maximum level from our team.
“And, let’s see the reality, let’s see the professional side, maybe we need some improvements in the future. Also, I try to maintain the morale.”
He also said the players could also have been demoralised by the club’s recent exclusion from the CAF Confederation Cup following an administrative bungle.
“You see, some players the last three seasons, you win the Cup and you don’t have a chance to go and play in the Confederation Cup.
“And, some players have a little morale to go down and play…. maybe sometimes also this presents mental problems from the players.
“You will go into the game and in the penalty shootout you then see the player who was very good, he misses the penalty and we lose the game.
“We don’t have another opportunity, our team is out of the Cup. We are now waiting for the last six games in the league,” said Cioaba.
The defeat yesterday confirmed Dynamos will endure a trophyless season after they suffered first round elimination from the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup and surrendered the fight going into the last six games of the league marathon.
Dynamos were generally poor yesterday, with both teams lacking creativity and goal scoring opportunities for most of the match.
FC Hunters coach Nesbert Saruchera hailed his team’s progress in this tournament.
“I am happy. We managed to progress. But we should have wrapped it up in the second half.
“We bombarded them but we couldn’t score. But I am happy with the result after all,” said Saruchera.
Teams:
Dynamos:
Tatenda Makoni, Abel Gwatidzo (Collins Mujuru, 83rd min), Christopher Nettey, Clive Mandivei, Isaac Landu, Shadreck Nyahwa, Godknows Dzakpasu, Tellmore Pio (Wisdom Mtasa, 54th min), Leeroy Mavunga, Ben Daouda Sidibe (Perfect Chikwende, 54th min, Mos3s Demera, 81st min), Frank Agyemang
FC Hunters:
Brendon Munkuli, Junior Meya, Garreth Madhake (Ordain Sira, 78th min), Vusa Ngwenya (Ronald Pfumbidzayi, 46th min), Delight Gandari, Tadiwanashe Huni, Munyaradzi Mushanga, Tamuka Chipango, Godfrey Dabgwa (King Nadolo, 62nd min), Benjamin Goliath (Michael Tapera, 46th min), Elder Chirima
