Dynamos. . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1 Caps United . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Dynamos completed a record quadruple in a single season over city rivals Caps United with a hard- fought victory in the $1 million Mbada Diamonds Cup first round match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Sweden bound Archford Gutu scored the priceless goal, deflected off a defender in the 73rd minute to set up a quarter-final clash with Shooting Stars who edged Hwange by the same score line at Barbourfields on Saturday.
Dynamos twin strikers Cuthbert Malajila and Rodrick Mutuma both had the ball in the back of the net but their efforts were correctly ruled out for off-side in a match that saw the two teams creating very few chances.
Dynamos’ Milton Makopa was however a shining beacon in the rather dull match and was voted the player of the match, walking away $500 richer.
Dynamos assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya was naturally excited for completing a quadruple over Caps, a rare feat by either of the two sides in recent years.
“It is always a good feeling to beat Caps United, we are over the moon. We started the match slowly but picked ourselves at the right time.
Even after we had been denied the two goals for an offside, we always had a belief that we will win the match. We created many chances than them and although they threatened us here and there but overall we had an upper hand.”
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Caps United team retreated to their dressing room at the final whistle. It was rather a sad sight of the players as they sat quietly listening to coach Lloyd Chitembwe who was clearly not amused by the defeat.
“It’s not about losing for the fourth time against Dynamos, but it’s very disappointing to lose not only to Dynamos but to any team – losing naturally gives a bad feeling. I don’t want to make comments about the games which I did not participate. We lost the match because my players just failed to come to the party,” said Chitembwe.
“For me it was not about winning this cup. My objective when I joined Caps was to come up with a team that can compete in the league and we are in the right direction,” added Chitembwe.
Just like the previous three Harare Derbies that failed to live to its high billing in terms of entertainment value and goals, yesterday’s was no different.
The first half was just a yawn with no goal mouth action as it was confined to the overcrowded midfield. Goalkeepers Washington Arubi and Muzondiwa Gonese faced some few harmless pot-shots in the first stanza.
The major highlight of the first half was when Malajila raced through to chip past the advanced Gonese but match day referee Masimba Chihowa after consulting with his assistant ruled the effort for an offside, much to the chagrin of the Dynamos supporters.
Evans Gwekwerere who had a decent game yesterday released a scorcher at the stroke of halftime which Arubi needed a second attempt to smother while Mutuma replied on the other end but Gonese parried the ball away.
The defining moment, in the second half, then came when Denver Mukamba created some space on the right wing before crossing for substitute Gutu who connected the ball, via a defender into the nets.
The Dynamos players celebrations went overboard as they ran to the bay that houses Caps United supporters with Mukamba and Mutuma clutching their mouth as to silence them, a gesture that infuriated the fans who responded by throwing missiles to the duo.
The two players were cautioned for their unsporting behaviour.
Teams Dynamos: W Arubi, D Kutyauripo, T Magorimbo, G Zhokinyi, G Magariro, M Makopa, T Muparati, D Mukamba, M Murape (A Gutu, 66th min), R Mutuma (L Kurauzvione 91st min), C Malajila (M Vengesai 89th min) Caps United: M Gonese, D Maketo, N Mukumbi, D Walaza, P Tafirenyika (L Tsipa 46th min), M Samaneka, D Redhiyoni, S Alimenda, E Chafungamoyo, T Kumbuyani, E Gwekwerere
