Dynamos (0) 3 Mochudi 0
TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
ON a rain-drenched afternoon, Dynamos did all that was expected and thrashed Botswana football champions Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the first leg of the preliminary round of the Caf Champions League at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Washington Pakamisa scored twice, including a controversial penalty in the second-half, before debutant Masimba Mambare added the insurance goal with a powerful header — all three goals coming in the last 45 minutes.
However, Mozambican referee Anibal Antonio Armando was forced to stop play for 25 minutes just 15 minutes into the first-half after rains which pounded the stadium had washed away the lines. After consulting captains from both teams, the match official decided to halt the match as the lines, under the watchful eye of match commissioner Alpha Mchunu, were redrawn.
There had also been chaos before kick-off at the gates as a number of fans struggled to gain entry into the stadium.
Dynamos threatened to run over their opponents, who fielded Zimbabwean players Arnold Chaka and Elvis Meleka, as they launched a series of raids, but the visitors, who appeared content with a draw, sat back in their own half thwarting everything Dynamos threw at them.
The heavens opened again in the second-half making play very difficult.
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The visitors finally cracked in the second-half with Pakamisa drilling a low ground shot past a couple of defenders to send the stadium into a frenzy.
In the 62nd minute, Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa pulled off an ineffective Ronald Chitiyo, but his decision was met with a chorus of disapproval from the fans who felt he should have instead substituted Mambare who appeared to struggle with his game on his debut.
However, 10 minutes later, Dynamos were awarded a penalty after defender Kereeditse Maphane was adjudged to have illegally brought down Cliff Sekete in the 18 area and the referee pointed to the spot.
But, the Dynamos man appeared to have slipped on his own. Chiefs players remonstrated against the decision arguing Sekete had slipped before Pakamisa then stepped up to convert the spot-kick for Dynamos’ second goal.
Mambare then silenced the boo boys with a powerful header off a cross from Pakamisa on 79 minutes to kill off the match.
At the end of the match, Mochudi general manager Sebele Moraicanyane said they had been robbed.
“It’s the worst decision (penalty) I have ever seen in my football career. We contained Dynamos throughout. It was such a bad decision, but there is nothing we can do about it, but God is watching.”
Pasuwa said Chiefs were a very strong side that needed to be treated with respect.
“We struggled to break them down. Their fitness levels are ahead of us. We now have to motivate the guys and try to go there and win,” Pasuwa said.
Teams Dynamos: G Chigova, P Jaure, T Muparati, S Linyama, O Machapa, S Alimenda, O Mushure, R Chitiyo (R Madamombe 62nd min), M Mambare (P Khumbula 79th min), W Pakamisa (M Murape 89th min), C Sekete. Mochudi Centre Chiefs: R Ntwane, P Moloi (A Mmuaelefhe 90th min), S Moleratsi, K Maphane, A Chaka, T Khunwane, E Meleka, P Lenyeletse (L Namothlhale 63rd), O Philane, B Fraser, L Shireletsi.
