Dembare off to a winning start

Dynamos 3 - 0 Lesotho Correctional Services

UGANDAN international Boban Zirintusa scored on his Dynamos debut as the Harare giants cruised to an easy Champions League preliminary round, first leg victory over Lesotho Correctional Services at Rufaro yesterday.

Zirintusa who arrived at the Glamour Boys from Northern Region Division One outfit Twalumba, headed home in the 59th minute, his goal sandwiched between a stunning opener by skipper Tawanda Muparati and a stinging free-kick from defender Partson Jaure.

The scoreline however, does scant justice to the manner in which Dynamos were so dominant and the visitors twice having to thank the woodwork for denying Dynamos more goals.

Lesotho Correctional Services also had their goalkeeper to thank for pulling a couple of fine saves to block the marauding Dynamos forwards.

Given the manner in which they dominated the game before an appreciative crowd of about 15 000 Dynamos know they got their first step into the 2013 Champions League right and must now fancy their chances going into the return leg in Maseru in two weeks time.

Despite the convincing win, DeMbare coach Callisto Pasuwa insisted that his charges should not get carried away.

Pasuwa probably remembers how Dynamos seemed to have wrapped up victory over MC Alger of Algeria when they travelled to the North African country carrying a 4-1 win before they fell 3-0 and were knocked out on the away goals rule.

The Dynamos coach is not even flattered by sentiments from his Lesotho Correctional Services counterpart Moshili Mokhutu who conceded after the game that it will be an uphill task to wipe out the deficit in Maseru.

Skipper Muparati thrust the hosts into the lead in the 20th minute when he beat the Lesotho prison warders' goalkeeper Sam Khetsekile from outside the box to warm the hearts of the appreciative crowd.

Zirintusa increased the Dynamos lead when he headed in a fine cross that was whipped into the box by right-back Thomas Magorimbo in the 59th minute.

Dynamos did not release their foot off the pedal as they kept on pressing with leftback Augustine Mbara making a good run before sending a low cross into the box but Poloko Mohale and Ntobo Moitheri managed to thwart the lurking danger.

Centreback Jaure then scored his first Champions League goal when he put the game beyond the reach of the visitors, through a stunning free-kick, struck with power and precision.

An LCS player was adjudged to have fouled substitute Mbara, midway into their own half and Jaure went behind the ball to score a beauty, which beat the wall and Khetsekile in the 70th minute.

Zirintusa could have scored another goal in the 88th minute when he exchanged neat passes with substitute Farai Mupasari before they worked their way past the visitors' defence only for the Ugandan midfielder to direct his effort wide.

While impressed with both the result and performance, Pasuwa feels that there is more work for his team if they are to make a bigger impression in this year's edition of the Champions League.

For the past two editions, Dynamos have failed to go beyond the second round of the competition and the road ahead appears bumpy with the Zimbabwe champions set to face either Ithiaad of Libya or Bizirtin of Tunisia who played a 1-1 draw in their first leg in Tunisia.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Prison Service were last night hosting a banquet for their counprterparts from Lesotho at Harare Central Prison after both the Commissioner of Prisons Paradzai Zimondi and Air Force Commander Perrence Shiri watched the match at Rufaro.

Teams:

Dynamos: G. Chigova, T. Magorimbo, A. Mbara, G. Bello, P. Jaure, D. Chafa, C. Sekete (T. Mabvura 68th min), B. Zirintusa, M. Murape, T. Muparati, R. Madamombe, (F. Mupasiri 58th min)

Lesotho Correctional Services: S. Khetsekile, R. Mokhalana, G. Tsepo, P. Mohale, N. Moitheri, K. Lethabele, L. Lehloka (L. Molefe 73rd min), K. Nthobane, T. Ranchobe, K.Sesinyi, K. Tseliso.