Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1 Harare CITY . . . . . . . (1) 2
Harare City are the new Chibuku Super Cup champions after two goals from Francesco Zekumbawire and William Manondo gave them a deserved victory over giants Dynamos in an action-packed final at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
By Munyaradzi Madzokere
The win automatically gives Harare City the right to represent the country in the African Confederations Cup next year.
Substitute Richard Kawondera rose from the bench to grab a last-minute consolation, but it was the Sunshine City boys who were left feeling appeased after they lost in the final of the same competition to FC Platinum last year, albeit under controversial circumstances.
Dynamos’ defeat means the Premier Soccer League defending champions are in serious danger of finishing the season without a trophy as they have fallen way behind in the race for the league title.
Luckily for coach Tonderai Ndiraya, the Dynamos executive backed him to remain coach even if he lost the Chibuku Super Cup.
Ndiraya could not help but concede that his team’s season was as good as over.
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“We are so disappointed as an institution because it’s unusual for Dynamos to end the season without a trophy, and now we have to look ahead and finish off the season and start thinking about the future,” he told reporters after the match.
Harare City coach Taurai Mangwiro could not hide his joy at landing his first piece of silverware and he believes that it could mark the beginning of a trophy-laden period of his career.
“As a coach, I am very delighted with this trophy because I haven’t been winning a lot of these and you always want to evaluate yourself by the number of trophies you have won. Today’s trophy can signal the beginning of more good times ahead for my career,” he said.
The Glamour Boys began the match on the ascendancy and could have scored first, with Ronald Chitiyo and veteran striker Takesure Chinyama fluffing the early chances.
Harare City would then score against the run of play after Talent Chawapiwa beat his marker on the near side before, spotting an unmarked Zekumbawire, who controlled and slotted home in the 17th minute.
Tendai Mukuruva saved brilliantly a Kudakwashe Kumwala strike in the 33rd minute, as Harare City continued to raid the Dynamos red zone, but could only take the one-nil lead into the breather.
There was a talking point seven minutes after the restart when Diro Nyenye seemed to have bundled Ocean Mushure off the ball in the penalty box.
The referee, Philani Ncube — who survived a post-match assault from Dynamos players — gave a free kick on the edge of the box.
Harare City, who were never really troubled by Dynamos, extended the lead following a swift counter-attack which saw substitute Martin Vengesayi’s effort ricochet off the upright post.
He controlled the rebound before laying on for the on-the-run Manondo who made no mistake from close range, with seven minutes left of play.
Second-half substitute Kawondera helped Kelvin Bulaji’s headed effort into the net on the stroke of full-time to save face for DeMbare.
