The Reds Bow Out Of CAf Champs League

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Monday May 10, 2010 00:00

 

Two weeks ago at the National Stadium in Harare, the Reds lost 4-1 and they needed three goals to erase the deficit to advance. After the weekend's game, the Reds will now proceed to the CAF Confederations Cup. 'Like I said, this team (Dynamos) is average, it's only that we gave away stupid goals in Zimbabwe. I'm happy with the performance of the boys today because for most of them it was their first experience in this tournament. But there is still hope because we're now going to play in the Confederations Cup,' said Bright.

At the University of Botswana stadium, GU started well with Tshepo 'Schoolboy' Molefe orchestrating passes in the middle of the park. It was his long range shot in the third minute, which brought out a good save from the Dynamos' goalkeeper Washington Arubi. The Reds continued to bombard their opponents' half but the likes of Mpho 'Jomo' Mabogo, Sageby Sandaka and Mandla Mgadla were ineffective in front of goal. Midway through the game, the visitors, buoyed by vociferous supporters, settled into the game. Farai Vimisayi was a thorn in the GU defence with some dangerous runs and crosses on the right flank. Whenever Vimisayi was in possession, the Dynamos' supporters who outnumbered the locals, went wild with whistles. In the middle of the park, Milton Makopa and Ashley Rambayapasi were brilliant and won the hearts of many spectators.

Dynamos' first chance at goal came in the 18th minute but Benjamin Marere headed over the bar much to the relief of the home fans. In the 31st minute, DeMbare caught the hosts on counter but Vimisayi's shot narrowly went wide of goal with goalkeeper Raphael Nthwane beaten. It was 0-0 at half time.

After the break, Dynamos increased the tempo of the game under the wet conditions, which made life difficult for the hosts. In the 49th minute, GU suffered a scare when midfielder Thabani Kamusoko's strike from the edge of the box came off the upright. GU huffed, puffed and were fortunate not to be punished. With the Reds playing against a gust of wind, their defenders nearly committed costly mistakes but Dynamos were in no rush. The Reds brought hope to their supporters when towering midfielder Ofentse Nato headed home in the 84th minute. Three minutes later, Dynamos' defender Phillip Sithole made a million-dollar clearance on the goal-line to deny substitute Steven Maposa a goal.  GU kept attacking but could not get the two decisive goals they needed to sail through.

'I'm happy that we've made it through to the group stages. We came here to defend our goals and we achieved that. I cannot judge GU's potential because we didn't play an open game. They were in search of goals while we sat back to protect our lead. But I believe they're a good side,' that is how Dynamos' coach Elvis Chiweshe assessed the game.

This is how both sides lined-up: GU: Nthwane - Molokwane, Bokhutlo, Selefa, Sekanonyana- Nato, Mgadla, Chikomo, Molefe- Mabogo (Mohambi), Sandaka (Maposa)Dynamos: Arubi- Maingire, Zhokinyi, Mbara, Sithole- Rambayapasi, Makopa, Kamusoko (Maringwa), Marere- Vimisayi, Malajila. Referees: Emmanuel Eyob (Eritrea)Assistant Referees: Hugush Berhan and Tesfaghergis Berhe (both Eritrea)