BY HENRY MHARA
HIGHLANDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
DYNAMOS yesterday gave their supporters a glimpse of what to expect in the upcoming soccer season with a polished performance as they beat Highlanders to lift the Independence Trophy at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
The match, played in an empty stadium in accordance with the World Health Organisationsafety protocols, was a curtain raiser to the upcoming season as domestic football prepares to return next month following a one year hiatus due to COVID-19.
A clearance mistake by Highlanders goalkeeper and captain Ariel Sibanda who fumbled a Trevor Mavhunga long range shot gifted Dynamos an opener six minutes into the match.
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Bosso vice-captain Peter Muduhwa scored an own goal after miscommunication with Sibanda on 50 minutes to double Dynamos’ lead.
The defender passed the ball back to his goalkeeper who had already committed and it rolled into an empty net.
While the Harare giants will be happy to lift the trophy played to celebrate the country’s independence, the match was largely more of a practice session which gave the two sides an opportunity to gauge the fitness of their players ahead of the league’s big kick-off scheduled for the second week of May.
Both coaches Tonderai Ndiraya (Dynamos) and Highlanders’ Mandla Mpofu were left satisfied with the performance of their charges who somehow exhibited good quality football played at a high tempo despite being inactive for over a year.
Government was forced to halt the start of the 2020 premier league as a measure to contain the spread of the COVID-19.
The two teams trained for just one week to prepare for the match, but to their credit, the players exhibited top quality football, and their supporters would be excited for the upcoming season which will be played in a cup competition format.
“Im quite happy that the trophy is remaining here (in Harare) but kudos to Highlanders as well because they played very well,” Ndiraya said.
“You can see that they are a team and we are not a team yet, but I will take confidence from this win and build from there. So im happy for the players, the team, and happy for the fans. They have seen their team which is a new team which I hope going forward will gel and play good football.”
Mpofu was equally happy with the team that he has assembled.
“I had a fear of what kind of team I have. I’m very much impressed with the way they played… the ball retention and ball circulation was just unbelieavable. We gifted them two soft goals — one from my captain and the second from a very senior player. At times in football there are things that we can’t control. It was unfortunate, but a very good practice match for us. It’s a very good team that I have. If they can get fitter, I think they are a team that can go out there and compete.”
Ndiraya fielded a virtually new side with rightback Emmanuel Jalayi and Godknows Murwira the only two players in the starting line-up who were with the club before COVID-19.
It was Mavhunga though who announced his arrival in style when his speculative shot managed to beat Sibanda.
The midfielder was one of the team’s outstanding performers who together with Shadreck Nyahwa shone in the midfield.
Young Tanaka Chidhobha showed why he is highly rated with some deft touches
For Highlanders, the starting line-up was a familiar one with Winstone Mhango, Keith Mavunga and Crispen Ncube the only new faces.
The Bulawayo giants appeared to struggle in the initial stages of the match and came to life after the introduction of the returning Joel Ngodzo.
Ngodzo showed his class with some deft touches and could have registered an assist late on but substitute Lynoth Chikuhwa’s shot was parried on to the upright by Dynamos goalkeeper Tymon Mvula.
Teams
Highlanders: A Sibanda, W Mhango (J Ngodzo, 65), R Lunga (P Mphelele, 65’), N Masuku, G Makaruse (A Silla, 73’), A Mbeba, P Muduhwa, M Ndlovu, K Mavhunga (L Chikuhwa, 69’), C Ncube (A Tandi, 69’), D Mhindirira
Dynamos: T Mvula, E Jalai, P Jaure, G Murwira, F Makarati, T Mavhunga, S Nyahwa (S Appiah, 82’), K Nadolo (B Mushunje, 73’), T Chidhobha (T Muringai, 82’), T Makanda (J Selemani, 73’), A Eonde (N Sianchali, 53’)
