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Dynamos . . . . .0
Gunners. . . . . .0
Dynamos won 5-4 on penalties
REIGNING premiership champions Gunners were knocked out of the Africa Safari Challenge by Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium to set the stage for a bruising duel against Caps United at the same venue today.
Makepekepe booted out Lengthens 4-1, in an earlier semi-final tie at the country’s oldest stadium. The challenge was organised to raise funds for the country’s representatives in the African Champions League and the Confederation Cup. A fair crowd turned up for the football matches yesterday.
Gunners and Dynamos will represent the country in the gruelling tough Champions League. Gunners will start their campaign with away tie against Mafunzo of Zanzibar. DeMbare who ranked among the six best teams in Africa have been given a bye in the preliminary round and will start their campaign in March.
The Green Machine will collide with Swaziland’s troubled side Mbabane Highlanders at Rufaro on Saturday while Lengthens will play AC Adema of Madagascar on Sunday at the same venue.
The tournament yesterday gave the representatives a chance to parade their new acquisitions for the African Safari. Dynamos paraded three new acquisitions —Farai Vimisayi, who came in from Hwange, Khumbulani Banda who was acquired from Bantu Rovers and Isaac Pitamuja, who was with Kiglon. Vimisayi is set to have a big impact at DeMbare.
Former Shooting Stars’ right back David Kutyauripo also came back to Dynamos with a bang. New goalkeeper Washington Arubi sat on the bench.
Ashley Rambanapasi also made his debut in DeMbare colours but was shown a red card for a second bookable offence.
Tafadzwa Maingire captained DeMbare. Coach Elvis Chiweshe has also found a replacement on the left back in Augustine Mbara who came in for injured Reuben Mhlanga and did so with ease.
Dynamos knocked out Gunners 5-4 on penalties with Pitamuja, Guthrie Zhokinyu, Kutyauripo, Felix Kuswatuka and Maingire scoring.
Goal-poacher Norman Maroto was the villain for Gunners as he blasted his spot kick over the bar. Gunners scored through Qadr Amini, Tongai Mangwendere, Carlington Nyadombo and goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube.
Judging from their performance yesterday, Makepekepe are a solid side and should cruise past the Black Bulls from Swaziland. The club has retained most of the squad from last season.
Yesterday they paraded Courage Denias, who was acquired from Eagles. Big Vincent Nzombe should give Makepekepe coach Lloyd Chitembwe striking options and is likely to partner Nyasha Mushekwi who did not play yesterday following his return from trials at Belgium’s Germinal Beerschot.
Ronald Sengu another acquisition from Lengthens is likely to relegate George Karimupfumbi to the bench. Lengthens who were thrashed 4-1 by the rampant Makepekepe are likely to find the going tough in the Confederation Cup. The team has a good buy in Godknows Mangani. New striker Admire Dzukamanja was a big disappointment yesterday.
Caps scored through Gilbert Mapemba, Yves Ebabali, Nzombe, Frank Addo from Ghana. Addo had a good game but he is not registered for the African Safari. Godfrey Moyo scored for Lengthens.
BY FANUEL VIRIRI
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