A brace by Edward Sadomba in both halves of the game were enough to propel the Zimbabwean champions to great heights of this continental soccer showcase.
DeMbare, as Dyanmos are affectionately called in local football cycles started the match with verve as they attacked tenaciously from the start and could have been duely rewarded in the 1st minute when Benjamin Marrere’s volley narrowly missed the upright post with the ASEC Mimosas goalkeeper beaten all systems out.
But the much focussed Zimbabwe premiership champions made amendments in the 4th minute when Sadomba found the target for the Harare soccer giants with a gem of a goal following a superb right footer that sent an estimated 30 000 fans into wild celebrations.
But before the breather, the visitors, ASEC Mimosas hit back in the 36th minute equalising from Jean Paul Kesse who capitalised on some poor defensive by an otherwise dependable Thomas Sweswe centre back to rifle home from close range.
However, the goal by ASEC Mimosas did not intimidate the host as they upped the tempo of the game to their own favour. It came as no surprise when Sadomba once again haunted the West African club with a cheeky volley for Dynamos to give DeMbare a deserved 2-1 unsailable lead.
The goal in the 74th minute assured the Zimbabwean premiership champions of an away advantage despite the fact that the match would be played on a mini-league like competition where winners collect maximum points.
The team that comes out with maximum points will then proceed to the semi-final of this Africa’s richest club championship ahead of the finals to be played at the end of the year.
Fiedling one of the strongest squads involving midfield maestro Desmond “Gazza” Maringwa, former Black Rhions tough tackling and roving midfielder Lazarous Muhoni, Benjamin Marere, Murape Murape, Sebastian Mutizirwa and Sadomba to make sure the Zimbabweans start on a flying note.
The victory also helped the Dynamos players, officials and supporters quickly forget the death of Sadomba’s sister and club secretary when the otherwise Sadomba was expected to be at home mourning the death of his sister scored both goals.
Dynamos will battle out with other Africa’s top teams that comprise Zamalek of Egypt, Enyimba of Nigeria and Ghananian champions in the next assignments.
But it is Sunday’s victory that reminded the rest of the African football fans of DeMbarare’s historic achievement in 1998 when they reached the finals of this same tournament.
LINE-UPS:
Dynamos:
Z. Nyaungwa, B. Tuyawa, R. Mhlanga, T. Maingire, S. Mutenheri, T. Sweswe, J. Majabvi, L. Muhoni (D. Shoko 51st minute), S. Mutizirwa (P. Marufu 51st minute), M. Murape, E. Sadomba
ASEC Mimosa:
P. Angban, P. Wawa, H. Diombande, A. Labi, S. Marc Dion (L. Tiezan), A. N’dri, K. Jean Paul, M. Kouame, M. Yao (C. Gohi 77th minute), M. Guindo (L. Sigodogo 63rd minute), I. Koukou–CAJ News.