By Edward Marange
Zimbabwean league champions Gunners FC stunned Egyptian continental giants Al Ahly in a champion’s league match at Rufaro Stadium, this Saturday.
Former Dynamos striker Norman Maroto now plying his trade for the Gunners was the toast of the day as he fired in the solitary winning goal.
Not many would have predicted such a score line given Al Ahly’s pedigree but Darlington Dodo’s battlers showed why they romped to the title under Moses Chunga last year.
Playing as the head of a 4-5-1 formation Maroto found the back of the net after just 22 minutes following a two-man move involving roving midfielder and reigning soccer star of the year Ramson Zhuwawo.
Maroto takes his goal tally to 3 in the African Champions League this season. Should the Gunners draw by any margin in Egypt in the away leg they will safely progress to the lucrative group stages of the competition.
Gunners coach Dodo told journalists, “We really deserved to win this one. The guys played to instructions we were in control for much of the game but they are very tactical. Al-Ahly have dangerous players like Barakati and Abotrika.
“We need to tighten up in the second leg. We will work on how we will try to contain them in their own backyard but I am happy with the lads’ performance,” he added.
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