Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Roy Matiki
6 October 2008
Harare — DYNAMOS captain Murape Murape is still convinced that his side will pull through to the final of this year's African Champions League despite yesterday's disappointing 1-0 defeat by Cotonsport at Rufaro.
Murape said yesterday's loss was just a temporary setback and was hopeful that DeMbare would turn the tables against the Cameroonians in their own backyard in the reverse fixture in Garoua in two weeks' time.
"I am disappointed with the result. In football you win, draw or lose and it's all part of game. What needs to be done is (for us) to remain focused . . . The second leg will be an open game.
"The early goal we conceded made the difference although we managed to match them man-for-man. Another reason for our defeat was that our opponents utilised the only chance that came their way and also we gave them too much room to manoeuvre."
Murape is also banking on DeMbare's away record in the competition this year in which they beat the likes of Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel and ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast on their way to the semi-finals.
Like Murape, Dynamos' assistant coach Richard Chihoro was also disappointed by yesterday's result but he believes his charges can rise to the occasion in the second leg in the West African country.
"Today the whole team did not play well, there was no cohesion in the team. One of the biggest letdowns was that our midfield was not supplying clean balls to the strikers.
"When we dominated proceedings in the first half, we failed to utilise our chances and Cotonsport had theirs and put it away and the goal made the difference," said Chihoro.
Dynamos chairman Partson Moyo was also putting a brave face despite the defeat but was hopeful his lads were capable of delivering when it matters most as they have done in past matches.
"We lost to a good side, it was not our day and now the team needs to pull their socks up. Our opponents played as a team and converted the chance that came their way.
"We have posted good results in the tournament against ASEC Mimosas, Zamalek and Etoile du Sahel. Now the major task at hand is to pull another great victory away from home and we have the ability to defy the odds," said the burly Moyo.
Zifa president Wellington Nyatanga was also confident that Dynamos can grab the vital win away from home.
"It's unfortunate that Dynamos lost today. The goal that they conceded was the turning point of the match.
"It's possible for them to go and win away in Cameroon. We need to believe in the guys and they can deliver the goods."
Farai Munetsi, the finance director of Nestle Zimbabwe, who are one of Dynamos sponsors, was disappointed with the result.
"We lost to one of Africa's best sides. Cotonsport are a great team and we took that factor lightly.
"Remember, these guys are professionals hence you could see their tactical discipline on the pitch. Everyone is disappointed but we need to keep our fingers crossed that Dynamos can pull a great result in the return leg.
"We have to accept the defeat, before the second leg the technical staff need to work on our shortcomings. Our fate is no longer in our hands. They have come with great results from the past away matches," said Munetsi.
Webster Shamu, the Minister of Policy Implementation who is also Dynamos patron, is convinced that DeMbare can grab a vital away win in Cameroon despite yesterday's narrow defeat.
"Although we lost today (yesterday), we are still hopeful that Dynamos can still qualify for the final. It was a brilliant performance by the players although we ended up losing.
"In past away matches, Dynamos have defied all odds and posted victories and it is still possible that feat can be achieved again.
"We need to remain focused, concentrate and work on their shortcomings. Cotonsport can be beaten in their own backyard and it's possible and I would like to thank the supporters for cheering the players throughout the match."
Cotonsport coach, the Ivorian-born Frenchman Ouombledon Alain, was ecstatic about the crucial away goal that his side scored at Rufaro yesterday but he believes that the contest is still very much alive.
"It was a good game. Both teams played some good football. I am delighted with the away goal that we scored and in the second leg it will prove vital.
"However, Dynamos are a great side and the match is not yet over.
"Having watched their matches away from home, they have posted some good results and we will not take them lightly as it is a tall order that awaits us at home.
"For Dynamos to beat great African sides like ASEC Mimosas and Zamalek, that alone speaks volumes of them and we expect Dynamos to attack us from the outset because they badly need the result," said Alain.
His captain Ahmadou Ngomna was also happy by winning away from home but also expressed fears Dynamos would be "ruthless" in the second leg after watching them post important victories away from home.
"We are happy to win away from home. Now we can go home and start preparing for what we believe would be a test of our character.
"Dynamos are great side despite beating them, it will be a tall order to try and maintain our advantage.
"It's the first hurdle that has been cleared, we are now focusing on the second leg and hopefully can progress to our first final of the African Champions League...
"It was team work that contributed to our success."
Cameroon Football Federation vice president Charles Emedec was also delighted with the result.
"It was a good game, we enjoyed the match. Cotonsport played some purposeful football and they converted their chance.
"We (now) go back home with our heads high and start preparing for the second leg. It's still an open game in Cameroon and the team needs to concentrate for the entire match.
"They have to know that Dynamos will be back fighting like a wounded lion," Emedec said with a smile on his face.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 The Herald. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
