CRY ME A RIVER: Sadomba (Number 8) breaks down after scoring on Sunday • Dynamos beat African champions • Dynamos survive Mozambique scare • Dynamos take commanding lead over Sol

By Nkanyiso Moyo

TO STUDENTS of the scriptures, giant-killing ended with David’s stone-throwing which took down the the arrogant Philistine giant, Goliath.

Try telling that to Dynamos fans!

Having already sent the African club champions Etoile du Sahel packing, and in style, the Zimbabwean champions claimed the scalp of Asec Mimosas on Sunday – the team that beat them in the 1998 final.

Without first-choice goalkeeper Willard Manyatera (suspension), vice captain Desmond Maringwa (groin injury) and winger Benjamin Marare – many gave Dynamos no chance in hell of beating the Ivorians.

But as on that day when little David faced up Goliath and told him; "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down, and cut off your head”, Dynamos counted on their own little magician – Edward Sadomba – to pull off one of the club’s greatest wins.

Just as David was thought handicapped by his youth, height and choice of weapon (sling and a stone) against an accomplished swordsman – Goliath – Sadomba had to overcome personal misfortune for the chance to slay one of Africa’s top teams.

On Friday, two days before the Rufaro showdown, Sadomba got the sad news that his sister, Portia, had died. Dynamos fans feared their leading goal-scorer in the Champions League – with 5 goals – would be an emotional wreck who could expose his teammates to danger.

It took just four minutes for Sadomba to silence his doubters with his first goal of the afternoon.

Brighton Tuwaya broke free on the right and his cross found Sadomba in acres of space. The Warriors trialist turned and blasted into the far corner – then raced to the embrace of his teammates, visibly emotional.

Sadomba then came close with a header which crashed against the upright to the sound of oohs and aahs from a packed Rufaro.

Asec – who have won the Ivory Coast league title every year since 1990 except in 1996 and 1999 – fought back from the early upset and were level 10 minutes before half time through Jean Paul Kesse.

Thomas Sweswe lost concerntration momentarily and gifted Asec possession in his own half. Herve Diomande raced clear and released Kesse who ran at Tafadzwa Maingire at speed, the ball at his feet. Maingire declined the invitation to close Kesse down and the striker took an early shot which deceived both defender and stand-in keeper, Zondai Nyaungwa.

Sadomba added the second and final chapter to this giant killing effort 15 minutes from the end when he arrived first to Reuben Mhlanga’s cross before directing the ball past goalkeeper Paul Angban.

Sadomba pointed to the sky, then as his teammates gathered around him, broke down in tears – enveloped by emotion.

Dynamos continued to carve several openings to kill off Asec Mimosas – but that which the Gods ordained no man can change, and Sadomba took the full dose of adulation from the home crowd. He had won it for them, on a day few gave him and his brave teammates a chance.

Next Fixtures
In Group A, Asec host Ahly in Abidjan and Dynamos face Zamalek in Cairo at the beginning of next month. Group A and Group B winners and runners-up advance to two-leg semi-finals and the final is also staged on a home-and-away basis.

The champions will pocket US$1m and also secure a place at the annual FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

Teams:

Dynamos: Z. Nyaungwa, B. Tuyawa, R. Mhlanga, T. Maingire, S. Mutenheri, T. Sweswe, J. Majabvi, L. Muhoni (D. Shoko 51st minute), S. Mutizirwa (P. Marufu 51st minute), M. Murape, E. Sadomba

ASEC Mimosa: P. Angban, P. Wawa, H. Diombande, A. Labi, S. Marc Dion (L. Tiezan), A. N’dri, K. Jean Paul, M. Kouame, M. Yao (C. Gohi 77th minute), M. Guindo (L. Sigodogo 63rd minute), I. Koukou

GROUP A

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
Al Ahly	1	1	0	0	2	1	3
Dynamos	1	1	0	0	2	1	3
Asec	1	0	0	1	1	2	0
Zamalek	1	0	0	1	1	2	0

GROUP B

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
Al Hilal	1	1	0	0	3	2	3
Coton Sport	1	1	0	0	1	0	3
TP Mazembe	1	0	0	1	0	1	0
Enyimba	1	0	0	1	2	3	0

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