DeMbare beat Bosso to lift Zaoga Cup

By Roy Matiki

Dynamos………..…………(1) 1 Highlanders……………………(0) 0

Dynamos lifted their second trophy this season after a well struck shot by Evans Gwekwerere in the first half ena-bled them to beat a spirited Highlanders in the final of the Zaoga Golden Jubilee Celebrations Cup at a packed Rufaro on Sunday.

In April, DeMbare won the Indepe-ndence Cup trophy after beating their rivals Highlanders 2-0. Yesterday, the dominance over Bosso continued and when referee Anthony Njaya blew the final whistle, the DeMbare family went wild. The all-important goal of the match came in the 37 minute from the boot of rejuvenated Gwekwerere.

A lapse of concentration by Highla-nders defender saw Brighton Dube lose the ball to Gwekwerere who made two strides before slotting the ball home, giving Dynamos the lead and it turned out to be the winning goal. Gwekwerere — who was being used as a lone striker supported by Benjamin Marere and Murape Murape — had a good outing and seems to have rediscovered his goal-scoring touch.

In DeMbare’s last assignment before yesterday’s final, Gwekwerere struck a double against Shooting Stars in a Premiership tie. Highlanders were their worst enemies as they completely dominated the first half but could not convert dozens of chances that came their way. Bosso kept national team goalkeeper Washington Arubi busy firing from all cylinders, but could not find the back of the net.

As early as the fifth minute, exciting young Joel Ngodzo laid the ball to in-form Mernard Mupera who shook the challenge of his marker before the former Black Rhinos player Mupera’s pile drive was blocked by Arubi. In the 18th minute, some good build-ups by Bosso laced with clever passes saw Rahman Kutsanzira’s thunderbolt hit the upright post.

After the ball hit the post, it fell to Ngodzo whose shot was saved by Arubi, thwarting Highlanders raids. Dynamos came out of the shell towards the end of the first half. DeMbare’s first real chance in the first period resulted in Gwekwerere’s goal in the 37 minute.

On the stroke of half time, Gwekwe-rere exchanged passes with Marere before goal scorer Gwekwerere’s shot was cleared by an alert Dube who made amends for his mistake that resulted in the goal. In the second half, action swung from one end to other with DeMbare having a huge share of possession. Highlanders could have levelled scores in the 76-minute.

Junior Ngodzo set up second half substitute Protasho Kabwe, who skied his effort with the goal yawning. Dynamos captain Desmond Marin-gwa, who was introduced in the second half in place of Isaac Pitamuja, cleverly switched the ball to right back David Kutyauripo in the 81 minute.

Kutyauripo made one step towards goal before his volley was parried for a corner by the impressive Ariel Sibanda in goals for Bosso. On the stroke of full time, Marere made a solo run from the middle of the park before releasing a cracker that was brilliantly saved by Sibanda. Dynamos assistant coach Tichaona Diya paid tribute to players for showing character and commitment throughout the match.

Diya said Highlanders gave them a good run, but saluted his troops for coming back into the game and scoring against the run of play.

“I do not normally comment about the referees but today (yesterday) the match officials put up a good show. Highlanders came into the match over confident after their fine run. In the early stages of the first half our players were back-pedalling, but we managed to regroup.

“Our players had a fighting spirit and they showed character and it made the difference in us winning our second trophy. The matches we played in the Cham-pions League, have helped our players who are now mature and implementing what they learnt,” Diya said.

Dynamos captain Maringwa said lifting the Zaoga Cup is a morale booster in their camp ahead of the remaining premiership games.

“It’s a good feeling to lift a trophy, there is no small tournament as all knockout competitions are equal. Beating your rivals adds glamour of hoisting the cup. As we now shift our attention to the Premiership race, we have the self belief and character to win our remaining games.

“I want to applaud Zaoga Church for coming on board to partner local football. Cup games are always difficult, especially when you are playing your rivals. When Highlanders dominated, we never panicked and in the end we regrouped and scored the important goal,” Maringwa said.

Highlanders’ assistant coach Peter Nkomo blamed the defeat on their strikers who missed a number of chances in the first half.

“In the first half we dominated play but could not find the back of the net. Our strikers were wasteful and Dyna-mos punished us. The players wanted to back-pedal, but I tried to urge them to keep the tempo of the game high. Our opponents utilised their chance.

“After doing everything possible, I think luck was not on our side. We have to go back to the drawing board and work on finishing. I attribute our fine run in the past games to motivating players, self belief and commitment,” Nkomo said.

Teams

Dynamos: W. Arubi, D. Kutyauripo, B. Tuwaya, M. Murape (E. Mashiri 65 minute), G. Magariro, M. Makopa, E. Gwekwerere, W. Sithole (K. Banda 75 minute), B. Marere, G. Zhokinyi, I. Pitamuja (D. Maringwa 60 minute)

Highlanders: A. Sibanda, B. Dube, F. Kanda, R. Kutsanzira (P. Kabwe 71 minute), G. Lunga, I. Mapuranga, E. Mudzingwa (S. Gate 87 minute), M. Mupera, B. Ndlovu, J. Ngodzo, Z. Ngodzo.