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NewsDay

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Dynamos set up Platinum final

Sport
DYNAMOS booked themselves a ticket into the final of the Independence Cup Trophy with a comfortable victory over bogey side ZPC Kariba in the semi-final at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.

DYNAMOS . . . . . . .(1) 2 ZPC KARIBA . . . . . . . 0

DYNAMOS booked themselves a ticket into the final of the Independence Cup Trophy with a comfortable victory over bogey side ZPC Kariba in the semi-final at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.

A goal in each half by Blessing Moyo, who converted from the spot kick in the 24th minute, and former ZPC Kariba player Obey Mwerahari’s headed effort with five minutes remaining, ensured Dynamos’ passage to the Saturday final where they will meet defending champions FC Platinum in a repeat of last year’s final.

Dynamos coach David Mandigora fielded a relatively weak side for the match with Godknows Murwira, who was outstanding all afternoon, and Oscar Machapa the only regulars from the first team.

Mwerahari and goalkeeper Tendai Mateyaunga were given the nod to face their former paymasters, while Masimba Mambare made a return from injury as a second half substitute.

ZPC Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka named a relatively strong side with Soccer Star of the Year Dennis Dauda leading a starting line-up which included two ex-Dynamos stars Thomas Magorimbo and Russel Madamombe.

Raphael Manuvire was pulling strings in midfield, while Ghanaian Sylvester Appiah was handed his debut and he looked a good addition to the team.

It was Mandigora’s side who settled first with Murwira, yesterday operating as the playmaker, dictating the tempo of the match with his precise passing in midfield.

They had the first real chance with seven minutes on the clock, but Farai Mupasiri volleyed over from inside the box.

Kariba were next to threaten in the 17th minute with Manuvire making a nuisance of himself on the right, his cross finding Tawanda Nyamandwe who headed over the bar.

It was the turn of Manuvire to miss a good chance moments later when he dragged his shot wide from a Madamombe cross on the left. Dynamos were then awarded a penalty after Appiah appeared to up-end Dominic Chungwa inside the box and referee Norman Matemera pointed to the spot.

Moyo, scorer of the Young Warriors penalty in Cameroon, did the job, sending goalkeeper Liberty Chirava the wrong way.

The Kariba side also had a big shout for a penalty towards the half-time break when Manuvire tumbled, but Matemera awarded a free kick just outside the box instead.

Dexter Phiri’s effort from the resultant kick hit the underside of the crossbar and somehow squirmed out to safety as Dynamos went to the break leading.

Chaminuka’s side came back clearly the better side, but appeared to run out of ideas every time they got into the final third.

Second half substitute Cleopas Machaya was the closest to give ZPC a goal just after the hour mark when he got to the end of a pass following Manuvire’s clever dummy, but his angled shot flew wide.

They had to rue missed chances when Mweraharari put the game to bed, jumping clear inside the box to meet Murwira’s cross from a free kick.

Substitute Artwel Nyamiwa thought he had pulled one back in the 88th minute, but his goal was disallowed for an offside. Kariba continued to control proceedings, but it was Dynamos who fashioned clear-cut chances in added time with Machapa drawing the best out of Chirava with a firm curling shot while Mambare fired wide.

In the end, it was a sweet victory for the Glamour Boys against a side who recorded back-to-back league victories against them last year.

DYNAMOS: T Mateyaunga, B Moyo (B Gandari, 54’), C Rusere, E Muroiwa, M Makopa,G Murwira, F Mupasiri (M Mambare, 60′), O Machapa, K Bulaji, D Chungwa, O Mwerahari ZPC KARIBA: L Chirava, S Sheshe, D Phiri, D Dauda (A Nyamiwa, 77’), A Sylvester, T Magorimbo, C Mukanhairi, T Rantakoane (S Makawa, 59’), T Nyamandwe, R Manuvire, R Madamombe (C Muchaya, 58’).