Dynamos exit leaves bitter taste in mouth

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

Dynamos FC’s early exit from the CAF Confederation Cup at the hands of Botswana’s Orapa United has left a sour taste in the mouths of fans and players alike. The Zimbabwean giants, who held a 1-0 lead from the first leg, were eliminated after a penalty shootout defeat in the second leg.

The defeat has been a major blow to Dynamos, who were hoping to make a strong impression on the African stage. The team's coach, Lloyd Chigowe, expressed his disappointment with the result, blaming a combination of missed chances and the disadvantage of playing both legs away from home.

“It doesn’t reflect well on our football when the flagship team like Dynamos falls at this stage of the competition,” Chigowe lamented. “But it comes back to us coming to a lion’s den for the first leg and then returning to the lion’s den again for the second leg.”

The exit from the CAF Confederation Cup has also cost Dynamos a significant financial loss. The team was set to receive a payout of US$400,000 if they had made it to the group stage.

Chigowe defended his tactics after facing criticism for his defensive approach in the second half. He admitted that the team had missed several chances to seal the victory, but insisted that they had done their best to contain Orapa's attacking threat.

Dynamos will now have to focus on domestic competitions, including the Chibuku Super Cup, as they seek to salvage their season. The early exit from the CAF Confederation Cup is a setback for Zimbabwean football, but it also serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by local teams in competing at the continental level.