Dynamos…… 1-0…… Hwahwa
By Langton Nyakwenda
HARARE – Richard Kawondera announced his arrival at Dynamos with a late goal that sent his team through to the quarter finals of the Chibuku Super Cup at Rufaro yesterday.
Second half substitute Kawondera, who joined DeMbare from Triangle during the midseason transfer window, headed home his debut goal off a deflected cross from the left by a lively Rodrick Mutuma two minutes from full time.
Sadly, Kawondera was stretchered off the pitch after sustaining an injury but he had played his part in saving new coach Tonderayi Ndiraya some blushes.
Ndiraya replaced David “Yogi” Mandigora a fortnight ago and yesterday the former DeMbare assistant coach admitted he is still to adapt to the new demands.
“At Dynamos you do not have much time to learn, you got to learn faster because results are demanded week in week out,” said Ndiraya.
It was Ndiraya’s first win after his charges fell 0-1 to Highlanders in the ZNA Charity Shield at the same venue last Sunday.
“It feels great to get my first win. We had to reorganize the team in the second half, we brought in Richard (Kawondera) to play behind the two strikers and the move paid off.
“I know coaching DeMbare is a high pressure job but I have been in the system for long and I have also learnt a lot from my mentors,” he said.
Whawha gave the league champions a good run for their money and their coach Lloyd Mutasa was happy even in defeat.
“I am proud of my youngsters, we were playing the league champions and I think they did well. We got our chances to score but we failed and in this game you get punished for that,” said Mutasa.
Clifton Mwale should have given Whawha an early lead after seven minutes but he failed to punish DeMbare goalie Tatenda Mukuruva who had gifted him the chance with miscued clearance.
But it was Dynamos who fluffed numerous chances with Mutuma and Takesure Chinyama the main culprits.
Mutuma also had a goal ruled out for offside by referee Ruzive Ruzive in the 48th minute and with six minutes left, his curling shot narrowly missed the target.
DeMbare hit the woodwork twice, first when Linyama rose high above the Whawha defence in the 15th minute and in the 55th minute with Kawondera’s near post header.
The former Triangle man then got it right in the dying stages, this time calmly heading the ball home to send the DeMbare faithful into delirium.
Last year DeMbare crashed out of the competition in the first round at the hands of Black Rhinos.
Teams
Teams: T. Mukuruva, G. Murwira, O. Mushure, A. Mbara, S. Linyama, C. Rusere, W. Mukanga (R. Kawondera 51’), S. Alimenda, T. Chinyama, R. Mutuma, O. Mwerahari.
Whawha: P. Nhete, B. Chidzero, S. Nhamo, G. Kwaramba, N. Maziwisa, R. Horonga, L. Genti (T. Muponda 64’), C. Kapuupurika, C. Mwale (A. Njoloma 64’), O. Lungu, G.Madamombe. The Sunday Mail
