• Dynamos take slender lead on champions league return • 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

By Mutongi Gava

Dynamos............2
Royal Leopards..0

(Dynamos win 3-0 on aggregate)

DYNAMOS progressed to the second round of the African Champions League with a commanding win over visiting Royal Leopards of Swaziland at Gwanzura Stadium Sunday.

Justice Majabvi opened the scoring on 56 minutes from the penalty spot before Admire Dzukamanja struck a deserved second at the death to give the Zimbabwean champions a 3-0 aggregate win.

Lazarus Muhoni scored in Dynamos’ 1-0 win away to Leopards in the first leg two weeks ago.

Dynamos coach David Mandigora spoke of his delight at the victory over a well-organised Leopards side who finished with ten men following an injury to their goalkeeper Pikelele Dlamini in injury time.

"Royal Leopards played very well but we scored killer goals,” said the Dynamos legend and 1980 Soccer Star of the Year. “I'm happy with the result but we need to improve in certain departments. We are still trying different combinations since some of the players joined us this season.”

Dynamos were on the attack from the onset, but their strikers were guilty of a series of misses. Sebastian Mutizirwa was the most wasteful, fluffing his lines when presented with two scoring chances in the first half.

His first chance came 14 minutes into the match when he headed against the upright. Moments later, Mutizirwa shot tamely at the Dlamini as Dynamos rallied to put the match beyond Leopards who only needed a goal to keep their second round dream alive.

Dynamos finally got the break four minutes before the hour when they were awarded a penalty for handball. Majabvi, Dynamos’ league and cup double winning captain last year, took the responsibility and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Dynamos appeared content with the 1-0 advantage as they started knocking the ball about without any penetrative intent.

When they did finally surge forward, Desmond "Senator" Maringwa rolled a beautifully measured pass into the path of Dzukamanja who obliged to send the home fans into delirium.

The visitors finished with 10 men after their goalkeeper Pikelele Dlamini got injured late on with their stipulated three substitutes already on the pitch.

Zimbabwe national soccer team coach Jose Valinhos watched the match. He said: "I wanted to watch some of the players I think would play in the national team. It was a good game.”
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