HARARE - Dynamos stormed into the final of the Independence Cup after beating a fighting Harare City 4-2 on penalties following an exciting semi-final tie at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
DeMbare goalkeeper George Chigova was the toast of the day after he kept his side in the match in regulation time making some crucial saves, before saving a Misheck Mburayi penalty in the shoot-out enroute to the win.
The Glamour Boys converted all their spot-kicks through Augustine Mbara, Ronald Chitiyo, Cliff Sekete and Themba Ndlovu to book a place in the final against FC Platinum, who beat Bosso in the other semi-final.
CELEBRATION TIME: Dynamos goalkeeper George Chigova, right, celebrates with teammates after the penalty shootout victory over Harare City on Sunday. Picture: Annie Mpalume
City had converted through defender Crispen Dickson and goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupanedengu while James Jam missed the first spot kick with Mburayi’s third saved by Chigova.
“It’s a morale booster ahead of the new season,” Dynamos coach Calisto Pasuwa said after the game.
“I am happy the boys took the penalties well. We played against a good team I think we are still lacking on the technical aspect of scoring.”
Both teams had a great opportunity of winning the tie in regular time but failed to capitalise on their chances resulting in the penalty shoot-out.
Dynamos, who rested several regular players, started on the front foot from the first whistle and they were all over their opponents, and it seemed just a matter of time before they scored.
Harare City struggled in the early stages, and in truth, it was only a combination of poor finishing and sometimes good defending that prevented DeMbare from getting an early goal.
Washington Pakamisa, who started for DeMbare yesterday since his injury against AS Vita earlier this month, wasted two clear chances inside the first five minutes of the game as Calisto Pasuwa’s men threatened to run over their opponents.
The Glamour Boys, however, suffered an early set back when Masimba Mambare had to be substituted after an injury in the 11th minute.
Oscar Machapa looked lively on the right attacking side of the midfield but sometimes kept the ball for too long thereby slowing the tempo of the game and allowing opponents to clear their lines.
Cliff Sekete, who replaced the injured Mambare, could have put DeMbare ahead in the 19th minute but he miscued his effort from a free kick by Walter Mukanga.
In the 37th minute, City goalkeeper Nyamupanedengu did well to deny DeMbare a goal after some goalmouth action. Moments later, Pakamisa’s square ball found no takers.
Bigboy Mawiwi’s side however came back firing from the break and Dynamos were kept in the game by some impressive saves by Warriors goalkeeper Chigova.
Harare City were on top early in the second half with Nathan Ziwini and Pheneas Bhamusi causing all sorts of problems for the Glamour Boys. Arippa Murimba had a chance to put City ahead but he was denied by the impressive Chigova on two occasions 10 minutes after the break.
Dynamos also had defenders Themba Ndlovu and Victor Kamhuka who started in place of Partson Jaure and Sydney Linyama.
As the second half progressed the match became more evenly balanced with chances at both ends but no goals to show for it as the match went into the penalty shoot- out.
Mawiwi was however happy with his team’s performance.
“Overall, I am happy with the boy’s performance. Dynamos have been playing in the champions league and we matched them,” Mawiwi said after the match.
Teams
Harare City: Maxwell Nyamupanedengu, Munyaradza Kunyarimwe, Munyaradzi Nyenye (David Kutyauripo, 77m), Arnold Chivheya, Chrispen Dickson, James Jamu, William Manondo (Talent Chawapiwa, 62m), Nathan Ziwini, Agrippa Murimba (Misheck Mburayi, 50m), Martin Vengesayi, Pheneas Bhamusi.
Dynamos: George Chigova, Thomas Magorimbo, Augustine Mbara, Stephen Alimenda, Washington Pakamisa (Patrick Khumbula, 64m), Oscar Machapa (Tichaona Mabvura, 74min), Victor Kamhuka, Ronald Chitiyo, Themba Ndlovu, Masimba Mambare (Cliff Sekete, 12m), Walter Mukanga.