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
