Simba Bhora (0) 1
Dynamos (0) 1
(Dynamos won 5-3 in a penalty shootout)
Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigowe hailed the character and endurance of his team after they beat Simba Bhora on penalties to win the Castle Challenge Cup on a rain-soaked Rufaro Stadium yesterday Ishe Mauchi’s 48th minute header looked to be enough for the defending champions to lift the trophy, but an 87th minute equaliser from Clive Mandivei took the game to extra time and eventually to penalty kicks
Dynamos keeper Prince Tafiremutsa saved Ishamel Nyanhi’s spot kick in the shootout to ensure that Chigowe’s men get the trophy Substitute Abel Gwatidzo hit the winning spot kick to make sure that the Harare giants lift their first ever Castle Lager Challenge Cup, which is played as the season curtain raiser The season proper starts next week Temptation Chiwunga, Emmanuel Jalai, Donald Dzvinyai, Mandivei were the other Dynamos players who successfully converted their penalty kicks
For Simba Bhora, Blessing Moyo, Harrison Masina and Never Tigere converted before Nyanhi buckled under the weight of expectations The game provided an interesting look into how prepared the two teams are for the season ahead, and Chigowe believes his newly assembled team is ready “In any game of football you play, you always want to be a winner,” Chigowe said “It’s a good start for us and let’s hope we maintain the same momentum throughout the season
When you play for Dynamos you must be made of steel and I think the mentality will come right as it proved to be coming right today.”
Simba Bhora coach Joel Luphahla, who was Chigowe’s assistant last season, was also impressed with his side’s performance despite them dropping the ball right at the finishing line “Penalties can go either way, unfortunately today it didn’t go our side But basically I’m very happy with what I saw from my boys Its the first game of the new season, the legs are still heavy from the preseason but from we saw, we can build from this game going forward
I’m happy that we have had this game which help us prepare going forward It’s always painful to lose a cup final We would have wanted to win it but we didn’t Still I’m taking pride from my players performance, knowing that we are going to do better in the next game.”
Source: The Standard Zimbabwe
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Source: Thestandard
