Zimpapers Logo

Eddie Chikamhi Harare Bureau
Dynamos 0-1 CAPS United
DOMNIC Mukandi, the man who delivered the killer punch that broke the jinx when CAPS United beat Dynamos for the first time in five years in the Harare derby, has dedicated his goal in the ZNA Charities semi-final tie to team coach Taurayi Mangwiro and the Green Machine family.

For long CAPS United have played in the shadows of their more successful Harare rivals and yesterday Mukandi could not believe himself as did the rest of his teammates when referee Batsirayi Muchenje blew to end the match after his 37th minute strike handed Makepekepe victory at the National Sports Stadium.

CAPS United last beat Dynamos in April 2009 when Nyasha Mushekwi grabbed a brace in the 2-0 triumph at Rufaro.
They needed a hero and yesterday Mukandi rose to the stage as his rising shot from near the penalty arc beat goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi in goals for DeMbare in the absence of George Chigova.

The former Monomotapa and Motor Action defensive midfielder, who shot the first time after being set by Dominc Chungwa, however remained modest as he battled to control emotions in the ecstatic scenes that followed the final whistle.

They will now face FC Platinum in the final after the platinum miners snatched the ticket courtesy of a 3-2 win over Highlanders at Barbourfields.

“I don’t have much to say but I just want to say thanks to my coach Taurayi Mangwiro and this is for all of CAPS United. I love my coach and I love my CAPS United.

“Right now I’m on cloud nine and I don’t know what to say. Records are there to be broken and I am happy we broke a record today,” said Mukandi.

CAPS United continued with their good run at their home ground since their decision to switch back to the National Sports Stadium and the win over Dynamos was their third straight victory there after beating Triangle and Black Rhinos in league matches at the giant venue. DeMbare also play their home games at the National Sports Stadium but have met with mixed fortunes.

Mangwiro appeared he was delighted more than anyone else as he believes there is no better way to prove some of the doubting Thomases among the CAPS United fans wrong.

The coach constantly has to fend off accusations from some section of sceptical supporters who always look for an opportunity to accuse him of undermining the CAPS United cause whenever they play Dynamos. Mangwiro is a former Dynamos player and his presence in the Green Machine dressing room has often been a source of discomfort to some faithful, despite showing his commitment and strong abilities under difficult conditions.

The win, he said, was a big morale booster ahead of this year’s back to back fixtures in the league competitions.  “We needed to win and I have always said it. Even in the other two matches that they beat us by 1-0 margins. Today I am happy we finally managed to break that jinx and it should give us the psychological edge going into week 15 and 16.

“It gives us confidence as a team but for me as a coach there is no better way of convincing  fans that my allegiance is at CAPS United and not Dynamos,” said Mangwiro.

Both teams missed a couple of key players due to injuries and national team commitments but the expectations still remained high from both sets of supporters. Makepekepe however were satisfied with their performance.

“We got off to a good start and we managed to protect our lead. Having taken the lead I told the guys that the best way to defend is by attacking and I thought we had another couple of opportunities to kill the game as a contest but we couldn’t do so but I am glad at the end of it all we managed to hang on,” said Mangwiro.

Dynamos missed their coach Callisto Pasuwa, who is away on national team duty and his assistants Philemon Mutyakureva and Tichaona Diya directed the operations from the bench as they watched their team failing to score for the fourth match in succession.

DeMbare team manager Richard Chihoro said the Glamour Boys are worried by the recent trend as they have not won a game in their last four outings.

“I think we gave away a soft goal in the first half. CAPS United dominated the midfield and that’s where we lost the game. Definitely we are worried we are not winning games.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and plan for the next game against FC Platinum,” said Chihoro.

Teams

Dynamos – A. Mukandi, B. Moyo, O. Mushure, T. Ndlovu, A. Mbara, T. Magorimbo, W. Mukanga (C. Sekete, 52nd minute), O. Machapa (W. Pakamisa, 52nd minute), T. Mabvura (R. Chitiyo, 82nd minute), T. Rusike, S. Sithole

CAPS United – J. Muchambo, D. Mukandi, A. Nhongo, D. Chipala, S. Makatuka, T. Samanja, M. Muchenje, G. Phiri, P. Zimunya (G. Mangani, 69th minute), L. Fiyado (A. Phiri, 86th minute), D. Chungwa.