DeMbare in Chibuku Cup final

By Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane

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

Dynamos coach Tonderayi Ndiraya has urged his side’s fans to keep on believing in him and his men as they seek to clinch the Chibuku Super Cup and the league title.

The Harare giants kept their hopes of clinching a “double” alive when they pulled through to the final of the Chibuku Super Cup after edging Chapungu in the semi-finals of the $500 000 competition at Mandava yesterday, thanks to Rodreck Mutuma’s second-half strike.

Dynamos will now meet Harare City in the final after the Sunshine Boys hammered Sunday Chidzambwa’s ZPC Kariba 4-1 in the other semi-final tie at the same venue on Saturday.

And Ndiraya was yesterday convinced that his charges would go all the way to win the Chibuku Super Cup as well as the Premiership title this year.

In fact, when Ndiraya was appointed to lead Dynamos following the sacking of David “Yogi” Mandigora earlier this year, a section of the Dynamos fans doubted that he could take them to the Promised Land.

But Ndiraya is proving that he has the capacity to lead DeMbare to glory this year.

“As I have always said I want the fans to believe in me and my team. I am happy that I have managed to go one step by reaching the Chibuku Super Cup final. I am looking at winning it and that was my aim when I took over the team.

“I am also hoping that Chicken Inn drops points along the way (the Premiership championship race) and that will enable us to win the league title if we keep on working hard and maintain the same spirit. I want the fans and everyone in the Dynamos family to give their full support to the institution,” said the youthful coach who was excited by his latest achievement of reaching the Chibuku Super Cup final yesterday.

“I hope that the final will be staged in Harare and we will not be travelling these so many kilometres (outside Harare) and that will give us the advantage. I am now waiting to meet Harare City in the final,” Ndiraya added.

Ndiraya was an elated man when his most dependable striker Mutuma scored the all-important goal that sunk Chapungu and silenced part of the Zvishavane town yesterday.

A 53rd minute corner kick from the right by left-back Ocean Mushure was met by defender Sydney Linyama who saw his shot blocked back into the path of Mutuma.

The striker made no mistake as he sliced the ball past Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi, sending the Dynamos fans into a frenzy.

A minute later Mutuma could have grabbed a brace but he saw his effort being tipped over for a corner by Mazingi which Dynamos failed to utilise as Takesure Chinyama struggled with his game.

Substitute Richard Kawondera could have had his name on the scoresheet in the 74th minute when he was spotted in the box by Ronald Chitiyo but with Mazing at his mercy he blasted his effort wide.

Chapungu, who had promised a lot and forcing more than 12 corner kicks, have themselves to blame for missing a number of scoring chances that came their way yesterday.

Dynamos goalminder Tatenda Mukuruva, who stood head and tall above the rest of his teammates with his saves, denied Chapungu an equaliser in the 60th minute when he tipped over the bar an effort from Allan Tavariswa for a corner which Chapungu wasted.

Another effort by Chapungu to come back into the game was in the 66th minute when they were awarded a free-kick near the edge of the box by Harare referee Norman Matemera but Phillip Marufu, their most depandable player, blasted his effort wide.

Chapungu were not finished as they kept on bombarding the Dynamos half.

Hilary Mugoniwa was again see his effort tipped over the bar by Mukuruva and the more Chapungu tried, the more the Dynamos goalie frustrated them.

Mutuma the scorer of the only goal of the afternoon was a happy man after the match.

“It (the win) was a team effort and I am happy for everyone and the fans. I will keep on working hard at training and also in the matches that I play. I know a lot of people feel I am not disciplined but the truth is my focus will never be shifted by that,” said Mu- tuma.

Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino was happy with his team’s overall performance despite bowing out of the competition.

“I am happy to have reached this stage. A number of people gave us little chance as they think we are a small team.

“It’s a pity that my defence conceded a soft goal from the corner kick. My focus now is on the league were I want a top eight finish,” said the Buhera-born coach. The Herald

Teams
Chapungu: R. Mazingi, C. Mativenga,H. Mugoniwa, B. Mbavarira, B. Zabura, W. Ngonya, G. Phiri, N. Ncube (P. Khumbula, 65th minute), P. Marufu (X. Ncube, 75th minute), T, Chitora, A. Tavarwisa

Dynamos: T. Mukuruva, G. Murwira, O. Mushure, B. Moyo, E. Muroyiwa, C. Rusere, R. Chitiyo, S. Alimenda, S. Linyama, R. Mutumwa, T. Chinyama.(R. Kawondera, 67th minute).