Onfire DeMbare wallop ailing CAPS United

From Eddie Chikamhi in BULAWAYO

Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 3

CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

DEFENDING champions Dynamos stormed into the Mbada Diamond Cup soccer final in an emphatic fashion yesterday when they overcame a hostile reception at Barbourfields and walloped city rivals CAPS United who had to finish the game with 10 men following the expulsion of defender Arnold Chivheya.

The Glamour Boys, who won the inaugural edition last season when they bagged a memorable league and cup double, got their goals from Denver Mukamba, Simba Sithole and Rodreck Mutuma to ensure they remain on course for another strong finish.

DeMbare captain Tawanda Muparati was voted Man-of-the-Match and walked away US$500 richer.

DeMbare will now meet Monomotapa in the final in Harare on November 24.

Kuda Musharu’s solitary strike secured Biggie Zuze’s men the ticket to contest for the big prize of US$100 000 and a place in the Caf Confederation Cup next year after edging FC Platinum at Sakubva on Saturday.

Dynamos assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya was excited by the win after seeing his charges putting up a strong second half performance to ensure they keep their three-year dominance over the Green Machine intact.

“It’s a psychological thing on their part and also on our part. Each time we play them we don’t need to motivate these guys because they are already motivated (by the prospect of beating them again). It’s also a combination of sheer hard work and determination.

“From the start we showed that we really wanted to win the match. We were pushing forward and eventually we got that goal which set the tone for the game,” said Ndiraya.

The tension on the terraces, especially at the Soweto end, where CAPS United fans had formed a marriage of convenience with Highlanders supporters, was spreading onto the field of play as tempers were already flaring early into the game.

CAPS United forward Rahman Kutsanzira was lucky to escape without a booking after he floored Murape Murape from an off-the-ball incident just seven minutes into play and three minutes later, the diminutive Dynamos midfielder was the first to be entered into the referee’s little book for a rough challenge on Shingi Kawondera.

But the teams soon settled and Dynamos’ creative midfielder Mukamba tipped the match in the Glamour Boys’ favour when he found the opener from a tight position in the 39th minute, which turned out to be his fourth in the tournament.

The lanky midfielder is now a strong contender for the Golden Boot Award ahead of Monomotapa’s Ronald Chitiyo.

Mukamba received a good pass on the edge of the box and with a cluster of defenders around him, he just manoeuvred enough space to crack at goal and fired a well-calculated shot that nestled into the roof.

DeMbare could have doubled their lead in the 54th minute when CAPS United skipper Tapiwa Kumbuyani almost beat his goalkeeper from close range, but his miscued clearance hit the crossbar and bounced back into play.

But Sithole, who has been scoring for fun of late, was more accurate when he struck the first time a high ball from the left channel following a good piece of work by Ocean Mushure to beat goalkeeper Itai Chiwara.

The goal almost put the game beyond CAPS United’s reach as DeMbare seized the initiative, buoyed by the two-goal cushion. The goal ignited ugly scenes at the Soweto end bay where Highlanders supporters turned against their CAPS United friends and chased them away from the stands. The Highlanders supporters had been a nuisance the whole afternoon with sporadic incidents of violence against all perceived Dynamos fans being witnessed in the stands.

Sithole could have added another goal in the 62nd minute, but he directed his header just wide from a free kick on a tight angle by Mukamba. Then Chivheya was shown his marching orders by Hwange referee Hardley Ngazi in the 77th minute for bad mouthing the match official.

However, Chivheya, who got a starting place in the absence of Tawanda Munyanduri through injury, had put on a sterling show in the heart of defence where he partnered Blessing Zabula. DeMbare made the maximum of their numerical advantage and in the 88th minute Mutuma latched on to a square pass from substitute Farai Mupasiri to put the game to bed. Mupasiri had just come in for Murape and his first contribution resulted in the goal.

CAPS United assistant coach Brenna Msiska lashed out at his players for not taking their opportunities early in the game when they appeared to have the advantage, especially in midfield.

The Green Machine played well in the opening minutes winning most of the loose balls in the midfield where Tendai Samanja and Rahman Kutsanzira played their hearts out before running out of steam in the second period.

“We didn’t play well today. I don’t know what really hit these boys because we had the upper hand early on, but we couldn’t take shots on target. We looked like we really didn’t like to play and win but at the end of the day it’s only proper to take responsibility for the loss as a team,” said Msiska. Herald

Teams

Dynamos: G. Chigova, T. Magorimbo, O. Mushure, G. Bello, P. Jaure, T. Mamvura, M. Murape (C. Sekete, 60th minute), T. Muparati, D. Mukamba (M. Vengesai, 84th minute), S. Sithole (F. Mupasiri, 87th minute), R. Mutuma

CAPS United: I. Chiwara, T. Kumbuyani, A. Nhongo, A. Chivheya, B. Zabula, T. Samanja, R. Kutsanzira, D. Rediyoni (E. Chafungamoyo, 60th minute), H. Zvirekwi, S. Kaondera (N. Mpala, 46th minute), L. Fiyado (W. Pakamisa, 79th minute).