DeMbare’s goal came from the boot of Desmond Maringwa, who displayed a sterling performance in this fast-paced African championship league.
Maringwa, though short, surprised many when he out-jumped the entire Etoile du Sahel defence to head home courtesy of an in-swinger from Reuben Mhlanga on the left.
The goal drove the crowd of thousands into a frenzy as nobody had given Dynamos a hope of beating the Tunisian soccer giants.
Even the Zimbabwe Warriors head coach Valinhos witnessed the thrilling encounter, which took place at the same venue where Highlanders were humiliated 2-0 by the Sudanese representative.
Forget what the veteran hero of three goals Edward Sadomba did against Mozambican champions, it was the long-forgotten Maringwa who capped a five-star performance on a cool Sunday afternoon, drilling home the only goal, and one which could prove important in Tunisia in two weeks’ time.
Several sharp-shooting DeMbare strikers, including Benjamin Marere, were out of sorts as Maringwa stole the limelight with his sudden burst of speed, accurate passing, opening for space and supporting the man with the ball.
The Tunisian champions had their own chances, but found the hosts’ defence unyielding each time they attempted to make a breakthrough.
Dynamos will now travel to the North African nation in two weeks in a bid to defend their slim victory and with the hope of qualifying for the African mini-league continental championship.
The new look Dynamos reminds many of the 1998 DeMbare that reached the Africa Club Champions finals, with great names such as Makwinji Soma-Phiri, Claudius Zviripayi and Peter ‘Chops’ Fanuel. – CAJ News
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News