RONALD Chitiyo scored his first Dynamos goal as the Harare giants progressed to the Caf Champions League first round despite being held by Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the National Stadium in Gaborone yesterday.
Mochudi Centre Chiefs . . . . . . (0) 1 Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1 (Dynamos are through on a 4-1 aggregate score)
HENRY MHARA IN GABORONE, BOTSWANA
The roving midfielder who was brilliant all afternoon connected home on 43 minutes from close range after some good work on the right by Masimba Mambare.
The hosts got their goal through substitute Onalethata Tshekiso who beat George Chigova to his near post with a rising shot.
Dynamos will now meet AS Vita of Democratic Republic of Congo who progressed to the next after a shock 4-3 aggregate win over Nigerian giants Kano Pillars.
The visitors started the match well in a well manicured National Stadium turf as they carved out numerous chances. Rightback Oscar Machapa blasted over in the opening minute before out of sorts Tawanda Muparati hit the side netting moments later.
Chances continued to pour for the visitors as Mochudi goalie Raphael Ntwane brilliantly denied Mambare from a freekick after five minutes.
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Washington Pakamisa, buoyed by his brace in Harare last week, came close after turning in a tight spot and firing a shot which drifted narrowly wide before Machapa blasted over again on the 10th minute after a good run from deep.
Mochudi would soon break on a counter and a long range shot from Pontsho Moloi was smothered well by Chigova for the home side’s first real threat on the Dembare goal.
As the first half was nearing the end, Dynamos took their deserved lead. Mambare started the move with a good run on the right who released Chitiyo and the pint-sized player returned the ball to the former Highlanders winger.
Mambare sent in a low cross that Chitiyo, who had made his way into the box, volleyed home.
Mochudi were better in the second half and while they dominated possession for longer periods, they lacked a convincing cutting edge upfront.
However, they forced two great saves from Chigova just after the hour mark. They would soon get their equaliser when substitute Tshekiso found space on the edge of the box and hit the nets via the space between Chigova and his near post.
Mochudi continued to pour forward and had a genuine penalty appeal turned down when Machapa appeared to block a goal bound shot using his hand.
The home side however almost conceded another goal deep into stoppage time when Chitiyo beat his marker, but his cross found no takers.
