Dynamos’ recent good run in the Castle Lager Premiership comes under heavy scrutiny this Saturday when they face Motor Action in a BancABC Sup8r semi-final match at Rufaro Stadium . The other semi-final will feature Shabanie Mine and Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium on August 6.
In the first meeting of the season, Dynamos beat the Mighty Bulls 4-1 on a penalty shootout after the NetOne Charity Shield final had ended 2-2 in regulation time. This time, again, there just has to be a winner at the end of play.
The two teams were deadlocked at two-all at the end of the 90 minutes after goals from Murape Murape and Timire Mamvura for Dynamos were cancelled out by Enasio Perezo and Masimba Mambare for Motor Action.
But when the league started, the Bulls were in no mood for favours thrashing Dynamos 2-0 to send a clear warning to their more illustrious opponents they were taking the defence of their league crown seriously.
The Bulls sit second on 34 points while Dynamos are third on 29, one away from their Bulawayo rivals Highlanders on 28.
To reach the last four, Dynamos beat Hwange 2-1 at the Gibbo Stadium in Triangle while the Bulls felled Monomotapa 2-1. Shabanie beat Gunners 1-0 while Highlanders knocked out Caps United by the same scoreline.
It is Dynamos, though, who have been racking up good results with three wins, a draw and a loss in the league in addition to the cup triumph.
After going down 2-1 to Blue Ribbon, Dynamos defeated Caps United 1-0, followed that up with another 1-0 win over Chicken Inn, before picking up a point against the same team in Bulawayo in a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture. Last Sunday they won against Caps United.
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The Bulls have been blowing hot and cold, drawing 2-2, 1-1 and 0-0 against Kiglon, Masvingo and Monomotapa respectively defeating the same team 1-0 before knocking then out of the cup. Last Sunday, they cruised to a 3-1 win over Masvingo at Mucheke.
Key players from Dynamos would be their two-goal hero against Caps Roderick Mutuma, Farai Vimisayi and veteran Murape Murape. Guthrie Zhokinyi, George Magariro and goalkeeper Washington Arubi are also vital in the last line of defence.
It was a good outing when they came from a goal down to win the Harare Derby and coach Lloyd Mutasa should be elated at that response, but will obviously emphasise the need to be consistent if they are to defend the BancABC.
For Motor Action, Allan Gahadzikwa, returning to his best and with support from Kudakwashe Musharu Edward Tembo and Themba Ndlovu, coach Joey Antipas would be seeing his team return to the 2010 best form when they won the league title.
If current form is anything to go by then Dynamos could already be dreaming of another final against rivals Highlanders, who are expected to roll past troubled Shabanie Mine.
In the last final — the Independence Trophy between Highlanders and Dynamos — the Bulawayo giants emerged victorious, breaking Dynamos’ six-year stranglehold.
