HARARE - Dynamos captain Murape Murape says they will not lift their foot off the pedal following Sunday’s 3-0 defeat of Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the African Champions League, but the Botswana champions’ ex-coach Madinda Ndlovu believes the Glamour Boys are well on course.
The Harare giants made a strong case for their progression in the African Safari, sailing past Mochudi in the first leg of the preliminary round at the National Sports Stadium through Washington Pakamisa’s brace and Masimba Mambare’s header.
It was a perhaps a game of two halves as the Glamour Boys struggled in the opening stanza to make any meaningful inroads.
They, however, produced super-charged second half performance that deserved more than a three goal margin victory.
“We are not going to Botswana to defend the three goals we scored here,” Murape said during a press conference after the match.
“We are going to fight to get an away goal. We can only improve from here. This was just our first competitive game and we could have scored more goals had we took our chances.”
Former Mochudi Centre Chiefs coach Madinda Ndlovu, who was part of the crowd at the National Sports Stadium, said the record Zimbabwean champions were yet to get into their stride and felt “they could only get better from here.”
The Highlanders legend helped Magosi to two consecutive titles before crossing the floor to rivals Township Rollers, who are currently leading Chiefs at the apex of the be-Mobile League by two points.
“They have put in the effort but understand this, the league hasn’t started in Zimbabwe so what do you expect,” said the former Warriors gaffer.
“So really, you will not really see the true reflection of Dynamos at this point in time as opposed to the other team (Mochudi) who are going towards the end of the season. I understand they (Dynamos) brought in new players, whilst they recently regrouped with their some of the players who were in South African for Chan. I can only see them improving,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chiefs defender Elvis Meleka, who conceded a penalty that opened the floodgates, felt the result was not a true reflection of the game.
“Had it not been for that penalty and I don’t think Dynamos would have got such a result today,” the Zimbabwean said.
“That penalty obviously changed the complexion of the game.”
Centre Chiefs assistant coach China Matlhaku said his side still had a good chance to overturn the deficit, adding Dynamos should expect a backlash in the second leg.
“It was a tough game for the boys but we are going to give it our best when we host Dynamos in Botswana,” he said.
“It was unfortunate (about the penalty); football is funny sometimes because some decisions can change the complexion of the game. Not that I’m giving excuses, but the penalty changed everything.”