Dynamos 0
ZPC Kariba 0
(Dynamos won 4-2 on penalties)
The quest for history is still on for Dynamos Football Club, as they edged out ZPC Kariba in a thrilling penalty shootout to secure their spot in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
With the victory, the Harare giants are now just two wins away from becoming the first team to win the country's premier knockout tournament three years in a row.
This is a monumental task, especially given their precarious position in the league where they are fighting relegation.
For Dynamos, the Chibuku Super Cup represents their most realistic chance for silverware this season and a chance to salvage some pride.
The quarter-final clash was a tense and cagey affair, with both teams failing to find the back of the net in 90 minutes.
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ZPC Kariba put up a strong defensive display, frustrating Dynamos’ attacks and ensuring the match would be decided by the dreaded penalty shootout.
The stage was set for a hero, and for the third time in this tournament, that hero was none other than substitute goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni.
Just as the final whistle was about to blow, Dynamos coach Kelvin Kaindu made a strategic change, bringing on Makoni in place of the regular goalkeeper, a move that has now become a winning formula for the team.
Makoni, a well-known penalty stopper, did not disappoint. He saved Fanuel Shoko’s spot kick, the second miss for ZPC Kariba, while DeMbare’s penalty takers were flawless.
The team’s mastery of the spot-kick was evident as captain Emmanuel Jalai, Denver Mukamba, Felix Hammond, and Vusa Ngwenya all coolly converted their penalties, much to the delight of the Dynamos faithful.
Kaindu praised his team’s resilience and composure under pressure.
“I think it was a difficult game, but once again, the team showed character and we managed to win on penalties," he said.
He admitted that his side could have sealed the win in regulation time, but their final passes let them down. However, he emphasised that their strategic substitution of Makoni for penalty shootouts has become a successful tactic.
“We always knew that he's going to save one. The strategy has worked for us,” Kaindu said, highlighting his confidence in the young goalkeeper.
ZPC Kariba’s coach, Newton Chitewe, expressed his disappointment with the loss, attributing it to his team's lack of cutting edge in front of goal.
“I think we fared well in the 90 minutes that we played. And with a little bit of confidence and composure from my forwards, I think we could have maybe got a goal,” Chitewe lamented.
The victory over ZPC Kariba continues Dynamos' remarkable record of winning five consecutive Chibuku Super Cup matches through penalty shootouts. This incredible run of form began in last year's quarter-final against Yadah FC, where they won 5-3 on penalties. They then went on to beat Manica Diamonds 4-2 in the semi-finals and Ngezi Platinum Stars 4-2 in the final to defend the title.
This year, due to a poor league performance, they had to participate in the preliminary round, where they once again triumphed over Yadah FC on penalties.
In the first round, they faced league champions Simba Bhora, holding them to a 1-1 draw before winning 4-3 in the shootout to reach the quarter-finals.
Makoni has been the hero in three of these five shootout wins, solidifying his reputation as a penalty specialist and a crucial asset in DeMbare’s historic campaign.
Chibuku Cup results
Manica Diamonds 0 - 2 Triangle United
Today's fixtures
Highlanders v Scottland FC ( Barbourfields Stadium)
Bikita Minerals v MWOS FC (Gibbo Stadium)
