• Malajila leads Highlanders rampage • Muhoni gatecrashes H'landers party • Dynamos look to past for inspiration • Goal shy Highlanders strikers on the spot • Dynamos, Highlanders meet in Charity Shield • 2008 Premier Soccer League Fixtures • Dynamos draw CAPS in season opener • Highlanders parade new signings • Zifa extends transfer window to February 29 • Majabvi on trials at SA club • Highlanders unveil 5 new players • Majabvi, Murape and Sadomba get new deals • Highlanders call press conference to unveil Khumalo • Orlando Pirates chase Highlanders goalie • Free State Stars sign CAPS FC's Nkatha • MTL Wanderers say Gumbo's job safe • Khumalo set for new Highlanders role • Murape Murape wins Soccer Star of the Year award • Rhinos, Hwange and Mwana Africa relegated • Relegation battle goes to the wire • Dynamos clinch league and cup double • 2007 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

By Nkanyiso Moyo

ZIMBABWEAN soccer champions Dynamos laboured to a 1-0 victory away to Royal Leopards of Swaziland on Sunday in the first leg of their first round African Champions League tie.

The slim victory was not without drama as the hosts created numerous chances which went begging, before Lazarus Muhoni stepped up to get the 1998 Champions League finalists out of the reeds – his second in many games after last week’s equaliser against Highlanders in the Charity Shield first leg.

Leopards were quick off the blocks, Bongani Sibandze firing just wide two minutes into the game from Mzwandile Mamba’s pass.

John Gama also had a chance to steal an early lead for Leopards but he shot wide to the rising irritation of the home supporters who whooped and ooed minutes later as Murape Murape and Muhoni curled their efforts wide.

Still looking to turn the knife on Dynamos, Leopards brought in Sifiso Ntibane, who immediately combined with Gcina Mazibuko and forced a save from Dynamos goalkeeper Willard Manyatera four minutes after the restart.

On 72 minutes, Mazibuko’s free kick eluded Manyatera but bounced off the post before the ball was cleared off to safety.

Muhoni struck late at Highlanders, and his poaching antics were again on display as he ghosted through for the match winner with 10 minutes left, connecting a cross from skipper, Murape Murape.

There was no glossing over a shambolic display by Dynamos, and coach David Mandigora pointed to the artificial turf used by the Swazis as a possible cause of their less-than-impressive display.

He said: “We now carry an advantage but there is still some work to be done.

“I am happy, however, that we had improved in terms of our coordination from the game we played against Highlanders.

“We are going to play Highlanders this week in the Charity Shield and I hope that game will give us an opportunity to improve.

“We were affected by playing on the artificial turf. It was difficult for our boys to adjust but they adopted well, only that the heat generated by the surface affects us because it brought the temperatures to as high as 30 degrees.”

Mandigora, who is no stranger to Swazi football having coached Eleven Men in Flight before the turn of the millennium, had to make changes in the first half when he pulled out Sebastian Mutizirwa for Rueben Mhlanga because of injury.

Muhoni, who was playing in midfield, was pushed to partner Admire Dzukamanja upfront.

Murape, Benjamin Marere, Mhlanga and former captain Justice Majabvi formed the midfield as Lovemore Mapuya and Thomas Sweswe were thrust at the heart of defence.

The former Lancashire Steel pair of Brighton Tuwaya and Sam Mutenheri occupied the wing back positions just in front of Willard Manyatera’s goal.
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