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DeMbare offers enticing hints

Sport
Dynamos new coach Paulo Jorge Silva was impressed by his team after they beat a visiting Kabwe Warriors of Zambia in an international friendly at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.

Dynamos new coach Paulo Jorge Silva was impressed by his team after they beat a visiting Kabwe Warriors of Zambia in an international friendly at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.

DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2 KABWE WARRIORS . . . . .0

BY HENRY MHARA

An own goal by Marcelo Kalonda, who turned into his own net a Carlos Rusere cross in the 52nd minute, put the hosts on their way before young Musa Madhiri made sure of victory with a converted spot kick at the stroke of full time.

Musa Madhiri celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot to make it two nil for Dynamos against Kabwe Warriors at Rufaro Stadium yesterday

It was not a wholly impressive performance by the Harare giants, but Silva, who is still settling into his new position since taking over the reins last month, will have had few complaints.

The Portuguese, who was animated on the touchline throughout the match, heaped praise on his side after the match.

“I liked the match very much. The players are beginning to understand what I want, but they have to improve,” he said.

“The players can perform 10 times better. But I’m super happy with the boys considering that we trained for just two weeks.”

DeMbare made eight changes at half time, as the coach sought to give as many players a run.

“I made changes because I don’t want to have just 11 players, but 25, who are ready to play at every moment,” he said.

New acquisitions in goalkeeper Ashley Reynes, Liberty Chakoroma and winger Valentine Ndaba were given their debuts.

It was former Highlanders player, Ndaba, who gave a good account of himself on the wing with his direct play.

Chakoroma looked assured, but Reynes had a nightmarish start to his DeMbare career.

Had it not been for the goalkeepers coach Gift Muzadzi and assistant coach Llyod Mutasa, who stood firm, Silva would have withdrawn the keeper early in the first half.

His crime was to pump long balls forward instead of starting play at the back with short passes to his wingbacks.

He was the last man to be substituted later in the match, as the new coach made wholesale changes to the team.

“The goalkeeper didn’t know what I wanted at the beginning of the game, but he impressed later. It was a good start for the team and the fans,” the new Dynamos gaffer said.

Silva unleashed a strong first 11 with Steven Alimenda and Walter Mukanga in midfield, while Brett Amidu and Richard Kawondera started upfront in the absence of Rodreck Mutuma, who just returned from national duty, and the injured Takesure Chinyama.

The home side created the first real chance of the game when Kawondera escaped on the left and his cross was cleared, with Masimba Mambare lurking on the blind side.

Kabwe Warriors, coached by former Highlanders coach Mohammad Fathi, rarely had sight of goal and had their goalkeeper Moonga Ndala to thank midway through the first half when he denied Mambare and Amidu in quick succession.

Mukandi, who joined DeMbare from bitter rivals Caps United, was introduced in the second half and he immediately endeared himself to the Dynamos fans with a dominant display in midfield.

He released Madhiri with a fine through-pass and the 19-year-old was hacked down on the edge of the box as he shaped up to pull the trigger.

Farai Mupasiri took the free kick, which deflected off a defender’s hand and referee Norman Matemera pointed to the spot.

Madhiri stepped up to take the penalty and the striker did not disappoint.

Kabwe Warriors take on Caps United at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow in another international friendly, while Dynamos prepare for trips to Tanzania and Malawi for more friendly matches.

Starting line-ups

Dynamos: A Reynes, G Murwira, L Chakoroma, A Mbara, K Nyakasaka, S Alimenda, W Mukanga, B Amidu, M Mambare, V Ndaba, R Kawondera.

Kabwe Warriors: M Ndaala, D Ngwenya, P Mubanga, M Kalonda, M Daka, P Simpemba, S Jere, S Sakala, L Kafwaya, A Tembo, M Nsofwa