DYNAMOS RETAIN CHIBUKU SUPER CUP

Tadious Manyepo

Zimpapers Sports Hub

Dynamos .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1

Ngezi Platinum . . . . . . . . . . (1)1

(Dynamos win 4-2 on penalties)

DYNAMOS made history by becoming the first team to win the Chibuku Super Cup twice in a row when they floored Ngezi Platinum on penalties in a tense final at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.

The match had to go to the lottery after the teams could not be separated in 120 minutes of play.

The two were meeting for the second time on the trot after they faced off in last year’s final, which the Glamour Boys won 2-0 at Baobab Stadium.

It was their second meeting in two weeks after their clash in a rearranged Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Baobab, where Ngezi Platinum won 2-0.

Looking to atone for last season’s loss in the final, the Mhondoro miners looked well on course, with Obriel Chirinda’s sweet 23rd minute volley putting Madamburo in firm control for the better part of the match.

But Ghanaian Frederick Ansah-Botchway pegged them back with 12 minutes remaining on the clock to force extra-time.

With no winner at the end of a taxing 120 minutes, Dynamos had the calmest of nerves to win it.

They put away all the four penalties with another one to spare, as goalkeeper Martin Mapisa made two heroic saves from nine yards out.

With Dynamos captain Frank Makarati, Temptation Chiwunga, Eli Ilunga and Issah Sadiki all scoring, Mapisa tilted it in their favour as he stopped Moses Demera and Farai Madhanaga’s tame efforts.

And it was the Lloyd Chigowe-coached boys who had the last laugh, picking up the ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup for the second year running. It was a painful defeat to Madamburo, especially after losing their fourth Chibuku Super Cup final in the past five seasons.

The 2016 winners have played the most finals in this tournament, yet they have won just once. That they led for the greater part of the game only added to the pain.

But their problems never mattered for the Harare giants, who celebrated well into the evening. They underlined their reputation for having a knack to draw late and pounce on penalties.

Dynamos beat Yadah on penalties after equalising late in the quarter-finals of the same tournament at Rufaro.

They followed that up with another lottery win over Manica Diamonds, having drawn level moments before the final whistle at the same venue in the semis.

And yesterday, they looked down and out, but still found a way back, collected themselves and pinned down an all-important win. Yet Dynamos hardly deserved it judging by the way they were made to do most of the defending in the entire match, plus the 30 minutes of extra time.

They started slowly and Mapisa was caught off his line with a super Chirinda lob. It could have been Ngezi and Chirinda’s second goal, but what was supposed to be the opener was ruled out for offside.

Then the guests had most of the ball and enjoyed a lot of territory as well.

But the more they failed to get the assurance goal, the more they risked it and were eventually made to pay.

As they defended deep, they drew many DeMbare bodies in their defensive third. Then Emmanuel Paga rose to chest down a high ball and Ansah-Botchway rifled from the arch to beat the impressive Nelson Chadya for pace. Chigowe hailed his charges for the win.

“It was a difficult game, but at the end we managed to win. I am impressed and our thanks go to everyone, including the fans,” he said.

It is a sweet win for us and the institution. We always said that we wanted to win the Chibuku Super Cup and I am glad we managed to do that.”

Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi was naturally disappointed.

Teams

Dynamos

Martin Mapisa, Emmanuel Jalai, Nomore Chinyerere, Donald Dzvinyai, Frank Makarati, Fredrick Ansah-Botchway, Shadreck Nyahwa (Temptation Chiwunga 90min), Tanaka Shandirwa (Freddy Alick), Sadney Uri-Khob (Eli Ilunga 90min), Valentine Kadonzvo (Emmanuel Paga 39min), Emmanuel Ziocha (Issah Sadiki 76min)

Ngezi Platinum

Nelson Chadya, Malvin Gaki (Tanaka Munemo 63min), Adams Ngwenya Farai Madhanaga 63min), Richard Hachiro, Obriel Chirinda (Elson Mweha 76min), Polite Moyo, Talent Chamboko, Kudzai Chigwida, Takunda Benhura (Moses Demera 76min), Never Tigere (Tinotenda Meke 85min), Gareth Madhake