By Bayethe Zitha
BULAWAYO – Harare giants Dynamos now look set to clinch their first league and cup double in more than a decade, after they beat perennial rivals, Highlanders 2-1 at Barbourfields Stadium to lift the inaugural CBZ FA Cup on Sunday.
The win, which came after extra time after the two giants had drawn 1-1 in regulation time, saw DeMbare pocketing the Z$11 billion prize money and an automatic ticket to represent Zimbabwe in the lucrative African Confederations cup next year.
Sunday’s triumph over their closest league rivals also means that the Dynamos revival under coach David ‘Yogi’ Mandigora is almost complete, as they now need just four points in their remaining three league games to also land the CBZ Premiership, a feat they last achieved in 1997.
The game, coming after a dull league encounter between the two most popular Zimbabwean sides in Harare a week earlier, was a humdinger.
Dynamos were the first to settle and put Bosso on the back pedal in the early stages of the match, in which their right winger Edward Sadomba was a thorn in the flesh for Bosso defenders, his pace and dribbling skills giving his marker, Zephania Ngodzo a torrid time.
However, Dynamos strikers did not do justice to the many crosses flighted by Sadomba, which were easily dealt with by the Bosso rearguard.
Wellington Sibanda limped out for Bosso, after he had aggravated a groin injury he sustained in the Harare game and had to be replaced by the skilful Johannes Ngodzo, who immediately mesmerised the Dynamos midfielders with his ball control and precise passing.
Dynamos also pulled out Bhekimpilo Ncube for Desmond Maringwa a few minutes later, also due to injury.
After a goalless contest to the breather, Dynamos found the opener early in the second half through forgotten striker Sebastian Mutizirwa, who tapped in after Bosso skipper, Gilbert Banda made a schoolboy blunder and miscued a cross from the left by Dynamos substitute, David Shoko.
Richard Choruma, hardworking all afternoon, chested a cross from the left and volleyed it past a sprawling Willard Manyatera to push the game into extra time.
Pint-sized striker Murape Murape, chasing shadows all afternoon, stabbed the hearts of Bosso supporters when he rose majestically unattended, to head Dynamos into the lead after a corner kick by Reuben Mhlanga.
With Dembare ahead but still within sight, Bosso tried to claw back into the game but their strikers failed to beat an impressive Manyatera.
When referee Nelson Kusosa, who put up a five-star performance, finally blew the whistle, Dynamos supporters and players broke into wild celebrations, while Bosso wept at a missed opportunity by a jaded Thabani Moyo towards the end of regulation time, which would have won the game and salvaged some pride for them in a season they look set to end with nothing.
David Mandigora was full of joy at the end of the game.
“This is just what we wanted. The boys made me proud and now we are focusing on trying to win the league. It is still game on but this cup triumph will spur us on to the double,” he said.
His Bosso counterpart, Methembe Ndlovu found no excuses.
“Congratulations to Dynamos, they played well and took their chances. We also played well from the start of the tournament, but today it was not our day. You have to be in the final to lose a final. I hope we will do better in the remaining league games because we are still in with a chance,” said Ndlovu.
The line-ups:
Highlanders: Washington Arubi, Ricky Sibiya, Zephaniah Ngodzo, Anzilom Ndlovu, Gilbert Banda, Mkuphali Masuku, Eric Mudzingwa (Givemore Manuella), Richard Choruma, Obadiah Tarumbwa, Thabani Moyo (Sautso Phiri), Wellington Sibanda (Johannes Ngodzo).
Dynamos: Willard Manyatera, Lovemore Mapuya, Reuben Mhlanga, Sam Mutenheri, William Mapfumo, Justice Majabvi, Edward Sadomba, Murape Murape, Sebastian Mutizirwa (Gift Zvanvanhu), Bhekimpilo Ncube (Desmond Maringwa), Tendai Gwata (David Shoko).
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News