DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
YADAH FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 1
(Dynamos won 5-3 on penalties)
DEFENDING champions Dynamos scrapped through to the last four of the Chibuku Super after a penalty shootout victory over Yadah FC at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
The Glamour Boys came within 10 minutes of crashing out of the country’s premier knockout competition before Valentine Kadonzvo levelled matters late in the game.
Prosper Kafelapanjila had given Yadah the lead early in the second half.
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But substitute goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni emerged the hero in the penalty shootout after saving Ariel Makopa’s spotkick.
All of Dynamos’ penalty takers Frank Makarati, Emmanuel Jalai, Eli Illunga, Emmanuel Paga and Kadonzvo scored.
For Yadah FC, it was Jerry Chipangura, Tanaka Chikumba and Blessed Ndereki who managed to beat Makoni in the shootout.
Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigowe was a relieved lot after the win.
“It was torturous to trail in the match, considering the last two results we got here at Rufaro Stadium. It hasn’t been a happy home for us. But in the end, we managed to go through to the next round which is important for this club,” he said
“Dynamos are giants in Zimbabwean football so if we can't make a mark in the league we have to try to become Cup Kings again.
“It is not going to be easy. It is not easy when you are Dynamos because everyone comes against you organised and determined. But hats off to the boys for winning the penalty shoot, especially after the nightmare against Orapa.”
Yadah FC almost had a dream start to the match after Madlenkosi Mlilo got to the end of a Blessed Ndereki cross, but his header crashed off the upright inside three minutes.
Moments later, DeMbare had a penalty shout waved away by the referee after goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya appeared to have brought down Emmanuel Ziocha, who was through on goal.
Kigonya made a smart save from an Emmanuel Jalai shot from the edge of the box late in the first half.
Yadah nosed ahead two minutes into the second half, Kafelapanjila beating Martin Mapisa from the edge of the box.
Dynamos pushed for an equaliser, but failed to fashion clear cut chances.
It was only nine minutes before full-time that Kadonzvo blasted home from the edge of the box.
The match had to be decided after a penalty shootout.
Yadah coach Thomas Ruzive bemoaned the absence of key players, including Khama Billiat.
“Overall, the guys played well, but we lost concentration in the last 10 minutes,” he said.
“I am happy with the performance, especially after losing three key players.”
Dynamos join Ngezi Platinum Stars, Simba Bhora and Manica Diamonds in the semis.
Teams
Dynamos: M Mapisa (T Makoni, 90’), E Jalai, N Chinyerere (E Paga, 56’), K Moyo, F Makarati, T Chiwunga (E Chikona, 70’), D Mudadi, F Alick, V Kadonzvo, S Nyahwa, E Ziocha
Yadah: M Kigonya, J Chipangura, E Rusike (T Chikba, 78’), B Ndereki, P Kafelapanjila (R Ncube, 66’), E Chitauro, M Faranando, M Mlilo, F Mustafa (A Makopa, 78’), C Mandiveyi, A Gwatidzo (T Vareta, 60’)