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WARRIORS midfielder Denver Muka-mba scored a classy goal, hitting the target straight from a corner kick, as Dynamos dismissed bitter rivals Highlanders in a Hexagon Challenge match at Rufaro yesterday.
It was a goal worth winning any match and it did just that before an estimated 17 000 crowd.
Dynamos forward Rodwell Mutuma forced a corner kick and Mukamba took the set piece on the left flank in the sixth minute.
The lanky midfielder, who arrived from Kiglon in January, curled a high ball with his right foot and it somehow eluded all the players in the box to nestle into the back of the net.
Highlanders’ goalkeeper Ariel Siba-nda should take the flak for the goal as he could have done better by cutting out the cross.
Two minutes later, Dynamos could have increased the lead when Mutuma burst clear, but he shot wide.
Dynamos were not finished yet as they continued asking the Highlanders defence some questions with Muka-mba getting to the end of a move from Tawanda Muparati on the right, only for Highlanders defender Lawson Nkomo to block for a corner kick.
As expected, Mukamba stepped up to take the kick, but he failed to produce the same magic that gave him the first goal.
Dynamos defender Gift Bello also surged into the Highlanders box from the right and then laid for Mutuma whose low cross found Sibanda well on guard in the 17th minute.
Mutuma tried to run some circles round Gilbert Banda as he went one-on-one against the veteran defender but the Bosso skipper stood his ground and dispossessed the striker.
Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa pulled out Nicholas Arufandika, who was literally on holiday, for Farayi Vimisai after 31 minutes and the for-mer Hwange player added some width to the DeMbare game.
Vimisai made his presence felt in the 34th minute when he weaved his way past Simon Munawa and then laid the ball on for Archieford Gutu.
Gutu controlled the ball into the box and found Mutuma, but the former Township Rangers striker hurried his effort and allowed Sibanda to save.
Hard-working Dynamos left back Thomas Magorimbo then created from his half and laid for Muparati whose first time drive went just over in the 37th minute as the Harare giants sou-ght to increase the lead.
Action swung to the other end of the field where Gutu conceded a free-kick near their box as he hacked Graham Ncube after Highlanders began show-ing signs of life.
Nkomo hit a fine ball that found a jittery Knowledge Jimu who could only punch the ball directly at Kastigu Juwakinyu’s feet.
The speedy striker latched on to the spill but Bello stood firm to clear from the line.
Creative midfielder Gutu left a lasting impression when he waltzed his way past the entire Highlanders defence and then sliced the ball throu-gh for Mukamba who was running unmarked on the left.
With the Dynamos fans expecting a goal in the 48th minute, Mukamba found Sibanda in no mood to compromise as the goalkeeper cleared the effort.
Highlanders brought in veteran defender Bekhitemba Ndlovu to contain the marauding Dynamos attack but it was Sibanda who was over-worked as he was forced to thwart another dangerous Mukamba raid .
Oozing with confidence after each move Mukamba could have added another goal when he won a battle over Eric Mudzingwa and Louis Matawu but the Dynamos player kept the ball for too long allowing the Bosso rearguard to regroup and clear their lines.
Highlanders pulled out Juwakinyu for Misheck Mburayi who nearly turned into a hero had he converted from the edge of the box.
Rahman Kutsanzira won possession and laid for an unmarked Mburayi who miscued the ball for what could have been an equaliser in the 68th minute.
Mutuma, who fizzled out of the game in the second half was duly pulled out for veteran Desmond Maringwa.
Banda, Nkomo and Gift Lunga did well to keep the Dynamos forwards at bay while Sibanda, despite conceding a goal early into the match, was one of the outstanding players for Highlanders.
Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa who is unbeaten in the build-up to the season conceded that Highlanders had given them a tough afternoon.
“Highlanders had a good game.
“They gave us a good run and I give credit to Mr Cooper (Mkhuphali Masuku) for building such a good team.
“Highlanders have played well and on our part we created few chances but failed to convert.
“We should have scored more than one goal had we not rushed our chances,” said Mutasa.
Despite winning yesterday’s game, Dynamos were not as fluent in their attack as they were against CAPS United. I think we did not really come to the party this time,” said Mutasa.
Now Dynamos are awaiting for a dream chance to play South African giants Kaizer Chiefs in an international friendly whose logistics are still being worked out.
A spokesperson for the organisers of the game Hexagon said they are working flat out to conclude a deal to bring Kaizer Chiefs for a high profile international friendly.
“Kaizer Chiefs have agreed to come in principle and we had been working on the weekend of March 26 which is a Fifa date.
“However, nothing had been signed on paper as we are still negotiating and it’s now at advanced stages.
“We are still hopeful that Chief will come but the dates will be worked out as we have only agreed in principle.
“It can either be either or later than the proposed dates,” said the spokesperson.
TEAMS:
Dynamos
K. Jimu, G. Bello, D. Chafa, D. Kutyauripo, N. Arufandika (F, Vimisayi 31st min), G. Magorimbo, T. Magorimbo, T. Muparati, R. Mutuma (D. Maringwa 77th min), A. Gutu, D. Mukamba (E. Amisi 89th min)
Highlanders
A. Sibanda, G. Banda, G. Lunga, R. Kutsanzira, I. Mapuranga, L. Nkomo, K. Juwakinyu (M. Mburayi 63rd min), G. Ncube (B. Ndlovu 46th min), L. Matawu, E. Mudzingwa, S. Munawa.
l Pride Tafirenyika and Simba Sithole struck a goal each as CAPS United beat Premiership newboys Chicken Inn in Bulawayo yesterday.
The friendly match marked a return to action for CAPS United who had been rocked by a player strike last week in which they lost three days of training following the stand-off.
Moses Chunga and his men were back to business yesterday and gave Chicken Inn a hint of the tough times that await the debutants in their maiden dance with the top-flight game.