HARARE-GUNNERS coach Moses "Bambo" Chunga Chunga had not won the league title since he started his coaching career a decade ago.
He was known better for saving teams from relegation than a championship winning coach. The former Dynamos midfielder and Zimbabwe senior soccer team captain had stints with the then Premiership outfit Shabanie Mine, Black Rhinos and also coached Dynamos and CAPS United but failed to reach the promised land although he succeeded in saving Dynamos from relegation in 2004.
But, on Sunday, Chunga silenced his critics by lifting his first ever league crown as coach.
After the match, Bambo, as he is affectionately known in football circles was mobbed by thousands of delirious fans who punched the air in delight as they celebrated a fine hour.
And, in a post match interview with the Zimbabwean, Chunga remained modest and said his aim was not to silence his critics but to simply win the title for his team and the fans.
He said he was happy that he had finally landed the ultimate prize in domestic football.
“I am happy to win this title,” said Chunga.”We worked hard for this and deserved to be champions. The trick was for us to absorb all the pressure in the first half and then attack them in the second half and I am happy it worked.
“We made sure we did not lose again to teams that had beaten us in the first round of the season. We managed to achieve that and I am happy for the players and all the fans who have been rallying behind us.”
Gunners, who burst into the elite league only two years ago laid their hands on the ultimate prize in domestic football with a game to spare. Their victory over strong challengers Dynamos gave them 58 points -a tally which is now beyond Dynamos’ reach even if they win their last match against Shooting Stars next weekend. Dynamos remain on 53 points from 29 matches.
This means Gunners’ last match of the season against Lengthens next weekend is now merely of academic interest as the league trophy is already in their trophy cabinet.
A draw would have meant that the winner would be decided on the very last day of the league programme with either of the two clubs having the chance to be crowned the Zimbabwean champions this season.
But, Gunners outpaced Dynamos to the finishing line following two second half goals from exciting winger Ziwini who scored in the 67th minute before leading marksman Maroto put the final nail on the coffin three minutes from full time.
There was a deafening silence in the stadium soon after the second goal by Maroto as Dynamos fans failed to stomach the reality that Gunners had wrestled the coveted title from under their noses.
One by one, dejected fans started going out of the stadium while their rivals Gunners fans went into delirium as they celebrated a fine day.
“Its a dream come true,” enthused Gunners chairman Cuthbert Chitima in a post match interview with The Zimbabwean.
“Our aim has always been to win the title. I am happy for the coach Moses Chunga and the players. The supporters as well have been behind us throughout the campaign. We owe them a lot. We are now ready to take on Africa,” said Chitima.
After the match, there was the tooting of car horns on the streets of Harare as Gunners faithful had a moment to savour.
Gunners will now represent Zimbabwe in the African Champions League next year while Dynamos will have to wait for the last game to know whether they will get the second slot for the African Champions as city rivals CAPS United can also sneak in from behind if they win their remaining two matches and Dynamos lose their last match against Shooting Stars.
Post published in: Football