News (4)
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)1
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
(Dynamos win 5-3 on penalties)
DYNAMOS’ steel nerves were on full display once again when they dismissed Highlanders in a tense penalty shoot-out to secure a record-extending third Chibuku Super Cup final at Rufaro yesterday.
The Glamour Boys have advanced to each stage in this year’s edition via a triumphant lottery and it was almost written all over that they would again seal this one once referee Arnold Ncube blew to end the match at 1-1.
Emmanuel Jalai had opened the scoring in the first half only for Highlanders substitute Melikhaya Ncube to level the scores with 20 minutes on the clock.
And the giants, who have been two of the best penalty takers in this competition having advanced from the quarter-final via the lottery, had to eliminate each other from 12 yards out.
They both showed they are sharp until Prince Ndlovu smashed his effort against the crossbar for the fourth penalty.
And Dynamos just had to score their fifth penalty to seal their progress.
Left-back Abel Gwatidzo then did the rest to make sure coach Kelvin Kaindu’s unbeaten run since taking over from Saul Chaminuka in August stayed intact.
An ecstatic Kaindu said: “I think there is a lot of improvement in terms of the way that we are keeping possession.
“But this is the game that could have been decided in the first half. I think we had a number of chances, we had a number of inroads penetrating in the final third,” said Kaindu.
“Also, we had probably a chance that was cleared off the line in the second half.
“But when the second half came, they picked low, they made the tactical change, they brought in three guys and scored from probably a half chance, maybe we relaxed a bit.
“But I should give credit to the team, I think when it comes to penalty shoot-outs, we have demonstrated that I think we are the best.”
Coming into this match, Dynamos had been plagued by player unrest, with the squad refused to train last Friday and even threatening to boycott the game.
But a common ground was reached late on Saturday enabling them to line up against a Bosso team they had faced in the league just a week earlier.
And Dynamos almost always do well when in crisis, like they did in the semi-final of the corresponding year before beating Manica Diamonds at the same venue.
Their body language never showed any worries when they trooped for yesterday’s showdown and they dominated both the ball and territory with incredible intensity in the opening moments.
They always looked like they would score first and that’s what they did, Vusa Ngwenya and Jalai showing amazing football intelligence only common in the top European leagues.
Just two minutes past the quarter-hour mark, Ngwenya was obstructed and won a free kick.
He quickly rose up and laid the ball to Jalai who lobbed the ball over Ariel Sibanda with the entire Bosso team in disarray as they were still preparing the wall and probably the route for counter play.
While Dynamos celebrated, Highlanders players mobbed the referee but their argument was never going to hold any water, coach Pieter De Jongh, who loves these protests so much ended up getting into the ref’s book.
The only way back for the Bulawayo giants was to fight back and not sleep on duty.
De Jongh offered a masterclass, pouring in three attack-minded players all at once at the resumption; Benjamin Adeogun, Melikhaya Ncube and Brighton Ncube.
Twenty-five minutes later, Andrew Mbeba, who was having it his own way throughout the afternoon, crossed well from the right and Ncube firmly planted a header past Prince Tafiremutsa to bring the game back to ground zero.
De Jongh, as has become his modus operandi appeared to be taking a swipe at both Dynamos and the referee.
He said: “To me it’s very simple. Look, when you play a cup game, you always come to win in the 90 minutes, or there is extra time, or there is a direct shoot-out.
“The rules say if there are no winners in the 90 minutes, then there is a shoot-out. With a shoot-out you win or you lose. This time, tough luck, I can’t calculate a win with a shoot-out.
“For me, that is what it is. I am an expert coach and it is not the first time that I win with Highlanders.
“That is football, so that is for me not a problem. But if you generally look to the game, and I hope you and your colleagues were also looking to the game.
“It is always difficult to play against 12 players. It is always difficult. And I think that I am very clear.
“The first goal, how Dynamos scored, it was a big shame. Go write about the first goal please.” Both needed to win this one to get inspiration to fight for survival in the league where they are both struggling. But it is Dynamos who have a chance to at least take some consolation in the Chibuku Super Cup in a season they have incredibly been so bad.
Teams:
Dynamos: Prince Tafiremutsa, Emmanuel Jalai, Abel Gwatidzo, Clive Mandivei, Issaka Mohammed, Tellmore Pio, Vusa Ngwenya (Temptation Chiwunga 56min), Shadreck Nyahwa, Frank Agyemang, Felix Hammond, Leroy Mavunga (Enasio Perezo 76min)
Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Arthur Ndlovu, Brian Mlotshwa, Reason Sibanda (Benjamin Adeogun 46min), Malvern Hativagoni (Melikhaya Ncube 46min), Marvin Sibanda (Tendai Muvuti 46min), Andrew Mbeba, Never Rauzhi(Prince Ndlovu 68min), Darlington Mukuli, Luckmore Mutumbi, Atusaye Nyondo (Brighton Ncube 73min)
Source: Herald
YADAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) 2
NGEZI PLATINUM STARS . . . . . (1) 3
NGEZI Platinum Stars kept their title aspirations alive with a stunning come-from-behind victory, overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat Yadah in a five-goal thriller at the Heart Stadium on Friday.
The result compounds Yadah’s growing fears of relegation, as they remain precariously close to the drop zone.
The home side got off to a dream start, with Tanaka Chikumba netting one of the fastest goals in the history of the domestic Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, scoring just 29 seconds into the match.
The early lead was doubled just after the half-hour mark when Evans Rusike finished a clever layoff from King Nadolo.
Yadah seemed to be in full control, but a shocking second half collapse allowed the visitors to stage an improbable comeback.
Substitute Delic Murimba was the hero for Ngezi, scrambling home the winner with virtually the last kick of the game.
His goal sealed a remarkable turnaround that was fuelled by a brace from Talent Chamboko.
The victory saw the Mhondoro-based side leapfrog from seventh to third on the log standings with 43 points, at least for 24 hours.
Ngezi Platinum coach Takesure Chiragwi praised his team’s resilience and character.
“I want to thank God. I think the guys did very well today, to be honest,” he said.
“We were very unfortunate to concede after 30 seconds, but we knew it was too early and we could still come back.
“You can see the boys have that belief… they showed that fighting spirit.”
Despite Yadah’s blistering start, Ngezi Platinum quickly gained control of the match, dominating possession.
Chiragwi noted that the team remained calm even after conceding the second goal.
“We knew if we kept on playing the ball, we were going to get some situations that we can go behind their defence and make sure we can score,” he added.
The visitors’ first goal was a product of that belief.
A series of quick passes released Chamboko, who beat the offside trap and finished confidently.
Although Chamboko missed a sitter to level the scores in the 52nd minute, he made amends in the 74th minute, heading home a cross from halftime substitute Ashwin Karengesha.
The pressure mounted, and another halftime substitute, Murimba, sealed the dramatic win in stoppage time.
“We kept on believing that we can do it,” Chiragwi said.
“We made the changes at halftime, bringing in Delic and also Karengesha to have that speed and also a quick, intelligent forward.
“And they gave us what we wanted.”
For Yadah, the result was a bitter pill to swallow.
They remain in 13th position with 28 points and are in danger of dropping into the relegation zone if the teams below them — Chicken Inn, Green Fuel and Manica Diamonds — collect points in their weekend matches.
Distraught, Yadah coach Takaendesa Jongwe was almost speechless after the final whistle.
“Bad day in the office ... it was a bad day,” he said.
“That’s all I can say. To try and break it down, it’s neither here nor there.
“You don’t lead two-nil and give that away at this level.”
The final score was more than just a number.
It was a symbol of a season’s trajectory.
For one team, it was a great escape.
For the other, it was a fall from grace that brings them perilously close to the point of no return.
Teams
Yadah: G Gurure, T Daka, T Vareta, A Chitauro, S Mewali, K Nadolo, M Faranando, S Masukuta (V Musarurwa, 60’), T Chikumba, (Urikhob, 53’), J Chipangura, E Rusike
Ngezi Platinum Stars: D Musariranwa, P Moyo, R Hachiro, T Chamboko, Q Amini, G Chirwa, T Munemo (A Karengesha, 46’), T Mavhudzi (N Muzenda, 66’), M Makuwe, M Mukumba, T Benhura (D Murimba, 46’)
SOURCE: NEWSDAY
Ngezi Platinum Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
(Triangle win 6-5 after a penalty shoot-out)
THE drama continued to unfold in the 2025 edition of the Chibuku Super Cup on Sunday as underdogs Triangle brewed the latest upset in the competition by dumping first round hosts Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab.
The teams had to be separated by a penalty shoot-out tie-break following a goalless draw in regulation time.
And former Young Warriors forward Delic Murimba had to be the fall guy in the shoot-out, having come in as a substitute and then later missing the decisive kick from the spot that handed Triangle the passage to the last eight.
It was a nervy finish as the tie-break evolved into a sudden death with Triangle converting six of the seven kicks via Munyaradzi Mawadza, Mainford Mudzimu, Ali Maliselo, Praise Machengete, Tawanda Chatubuka and Munashe Bamala.
Their coach Genesis Mangombe was excited by the turn of events as the Sugar Sugar Boys recovered from a false start after versatile left-back Nomore Chinyerere had the first kick saved by goalkeeper Darlington Murasiranwa.
“It’s difficult when you reach those moments,” said Mangombe.
“But in a game of football, you have to play until the end. I am happy with the character of the boys because we missed the first penalty and because of that character we came back and we managed to win the game.”
The Sugar Sugar Boys, who travelled over 600km for two Chibuku Super Cup games inside four days, returned to the Lowveld with a great deal of satisfaction, having also beaten Kwekwe United 1-0 in the preliminary round last Thursday.
Mangombe felt they could have wrapped up the game inside regulation time. He is no stranger to causing upsets against the platinum miners as he led Dynamos to their first Chibuku Super Cup success in 2023 at the expense of Takesure Chiragwi’s men.
Mangombe feels Triangle have the capacity to progress in this competition despite their woes in the league competition this season. They had efforts from Ali Sadiki and Mawadza disallowed yesterday.
“We are doing well. Even some of the (disallowed) goals, I thought the referee could have let one or two stand but it’s a game of football.
“They are close to the situation and sometimes, maybe there was an infringement; we don’t know. But we were superior. We were better than our opponents. We had so many entries into the box and had so many chances than them.
“It means we are building something, but we have a dilemma because are also fighting relegation. We will see how we are going to balance the two,” said Mangombe.
Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Chiragwi conceded defeat. Veteran Kudzai Chigwida, Qadr Amini, Nisbert Muzenda, Leslie Kashtigu and Brooklyn Katumba converted their spot kicks while substitutes Ashwin Karengesha and Murimba missed.
“Firstly, I just want to appreciate the effort from the players. But generally I think we didn’t play our normal game, to be honest,” said Chiragwi.
“It was difficult during the last minutes. Of course here and there we did manage to create some chances which we thought could take us home but that’s how it is.
“Sometimes God favours those that want it more. So, they deserved to win. They played very well. Congratulations to Triangle, and I wish them very well in the next stage.”
Triangle emulated Dynamos, Bikita Minerals and Manica Diamonds, who shrugged off the underdog tag to progress to the fquarter-finals, interestingly in similar fashion after winning penalty shoot-outs.
Scottland and MWOS also made it to the last eight. The draw for the quarter-finals will be conducted after the remaining two fixtures that were postponed.
Giants Highlanders are set to face Herentals while Chicken Inn and ZPC Kariba clash in another rescheduled game.
SOURCE: THE HERALD
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 1
Simba Bhora . . . . . . . . (0) 0
A SHADRECK Nyahwa goal at the start of the second half gave Dynamos a long-awaited premier league victory as they beat defending champions Simba Bhora at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
The midfielder slotted home into an empty net after a howler by Simba Bhora's goalkeeper, William Thole, who misjudged a Nomore Chinyerere cross following a corner in the 50th minute.
Yesterday's victory was the Harare giants' second triumph over Simba Bhora this term after beating the Shamva-based team in the season-opening Castle Challenge Cup at the end of February.
It was Dynamos' first league victory in eight matches since they beat FC Platinum 2-0 at Rufaro on November 2 last year.
Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigowe said he was still trying to integrate the club's new players into the side but was relieved to collect his first victory in four matches.
The other three matches ended in draws.
"I'm grateful for the performance by my team," a relieved Chigowe said.
"They stuck to instructions. We knew pretty well that after beating Simba in the Challenge Cup, they would come at us. But we knew that it was key for us to be able to absorb the pressure and take our chances when they came. Indeed, we managed to get the chance and we threw the ball in the net. We suffered a little bit, but in the end, we scored and managed to collect three points."
Nyahwa's goal was the first time that a Dynamos player had scored in the league this season.
Victory moved Dynamos out of the relegation zone into sixth position on the log standings with six points from a possible 12.
This was Simba Bhora's first defeat of the season. They dropped to 12th position, although they are a point away from Dynamos.
Their coach, Joel Luphahla, who was Chigowe's assistant last season, was disappointed that he could not outsmart his mentor on the second time of asking.
"It was always going to be a difficult game coming here versus Dynamos. I felt that the boys tried their best, but Dynamos was more motivated in the sense that maybe I came from here last season, so the motivation was always there. They don't want to lose to their former coach.
"I'm very confident with the team that we have. We are still trying to find ways to finish off matches. We didn't create more today, maybe half chances, but at the end of the day, we have played four games, it's a worry, it's a concern that we have scored only one goal."
A quiet opening half saw two half-decent openings, one for each side —Frank Agyemang wriggling his way into the box but the ball tangled with his feet and he couldn't shoot, with only the keeper to beat, while Blessing Moyo's free kick from range was parried away by Dynamos goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa at the other end moments before the break.
A triple substitute at the start of the second half for Simba Bhora saw them seizing control in midfield, but it was Chigowe's men who almost took the lead soon after the restart.
Leeroy Mavhunga slipped through Agyemang, but Thole came flying off his line to block the danger.
The Malawi international, however, made a mess of Dynamos's next attack.
Emmanuel Jalai found Chinyerere with a short corner, and the left-back clipped a high ball into the box with his weaker right foot.
The keeper charged off his line to try and cut off the cross, but completely missed the ball, which fell invitingly for Nyahwa to tap into an empty net.
Agyemang should have doubled the lead moments later when he was again picked inside the box by Mavhunga, but the Ghanaian side-footed his effort over the cross bar.
Simba Bhora took over control of the match afterward as they searched for a leveller, but the Dynamos' defence held firm to secure a crucial victory.
Teams
Dynamos: P Tafiremutsa, E Jalai, T Magwaza, N Chinyerere, C Mandivei, S Nyahwa, F Agyemang (E Chikona, 72'), T Pio, V Ngwenya, L Mavhunga (L Gwatidzo, 82'), V Kadonzvo (R Chingwara, 77').
Simba Bhora: W Thole, C Makambira (T Meke, 46') W Tafa, I Mauchi, B Moyo, I Nyanhi (B Ndereki, 46'), B Ncube, J Makunike (T Mavhunga, 46'), E Ziocha (D Mudadi, 70'), I Gurirab, W Manondo (M Hwata 70').
SOURCE: NEWSDAY
