Dynamos . . . . . . . . (1) 1 Triangle . . . . . . . . . (1) 1 Tawanda Tafirenyika Sports Correspondent
(Triangle won 4-3 after penalty shoot-out)
BIGGIE Zuze struggled to hold back tears at the final whistle after his charges defeated champions Dynamos to lift the One Wallet Cup final at the National Sports Stadium yesterday, which was his first major piece of silverware in his long career.
Understandably so, his previous attempts at winning a major cup had all ended in disappointment.
In 2012 when he was still coach of Monomotapa, he was denied the chance to lay his hands on the trophy after he was handed a 0-2 defeat in the Mbada Diamonds Cup final by Dynamos.
But yesterday, Zuze avenged the defeat against their more illustrious opponents in style and he gave credit to the players for imposing themselves in the match, never showing any respect as they held their nerves to walk to the winners’ podium — the first time for a Chiredzi-based side.
“This is a good win for us. I would like to give credit to players. You know what it is to play against Dynamos in a cup final, but they handled the pressure very well,” Zuze, whose side has been struggling in the last few league games, said.
“They showed discipline throughout the 90 minutes. They didn’t give up despite being one man down. We won the match in midfield. This is my first piece of silverware in my coaching career and I will cherish this for ever.”
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The Triangle gaffer believed the victory over Dynamos would give his charges confidence as league action resumes.
“This is the victory we have been looking for to bring back confidence into the team. We hope this will be the turning point,” he said.
His opposite number Kalisto Pasuwa admitted the Harare giants were wasteful and failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority.
“Maybe we should have buried the match in 90 minutes. Some of the players were not putting an effort.
“We resorted to long balls going forward and failed to take advantage when one of their players was sent off,” a dejected and disappointed Pasuwa said.
Triangle converted all their spot-kicks through Praise Tonha, Hillary Bakacheza and Tichaona Chipunza.
Augustine Mbara, Ronald Chitiyo and Blessing Moyo converted for Dynamos, while Tafadzwa Rusike and Thomas Magorimbo missed.
The match had ended 1-1 after extra time For winning the trophy, Triangle were rewarded with an $80 000 cheque, while Dynamos got $30 000 less.
Triangle midfielder Kabby Kamhapa was voted man-of-the-match.
Dynamos started brightly, carving out good chances with Blessing Moyo and Washington Pakamisa coming in close to score.
As Dynamos appeared to be set for a routine victory, dreadlocked Felix Kuswatuka connected a free-kick by Praise Tonha to thrust his side into the lead on 19 minutes.
Dynamos, however, levelled matters on 41 minutes after Rodreck Mutuma was allowed a free header following a free-kick by Magorimbo.
In the second half, Dynamos came back launching wave after wave of attack at the opponent’s goals, but the visitors held on until the match went into extra time, culminating in the penalty shoot-out.
Teams: Dynamos: T Mukuruva, B Moyo, T Magorimbo, A Mbara, T Ndlovu, S Alimenda (D Chafa, 105’), R Chitiyo, T Muparati (C Sekete, 65’), T Rusike, R Mutuma (A Gondo 91’), W Pakamisa
Triangle: R Mudimu, P Tonha, J Dzingai, W Mapfumo, N Messon (C Ngondonga, 72’), C Makoto, C Kamhapa (C Rukuni, 105’), T Chipunza, C Denias (R Kawondera, 67’), F Kutswatuka, H Bakacheza
