DeMbare back on top

Sports — By admin on October 8, 2009 12:45 am

By Mtulisi Mafa

Dynamos ………….(1) 2 Hwange ………0

DYNAMOS bounced back from a fortnight of turbulence to land a crucial win and, thus, return to the summit of the Premiership following a hard-won victory at Rufaro yesterday.

The Harare giants were helped to glory by a rare goal from centre back George Magariro before hitman Cuthbert Malajila sealed the deal with a second half header.

It was Magariro’s second Premiership goal for DeMbare since his arrival from Masvingo United before the start of the season.

His first goal, a scrambled effort in the 1-0 win over Highway at Sakubva, was officially attributed to Malajila.

Despite scoring from a crowded box, there was no disputing that it was Magariro who prodded home the opener this time after the Hwange defence had failed to deal with a Dynamos free-kick.

Dynamos arrived under a cloud of problems and were two points behind Gunners.

But with their title rivals falling off the cliff across town at Gwanzura after a 3-1 defeat to Shooting Stars, an air of optimism once again swept across the old football facility.

The same fans that bayed for coach Elvis “Chuchu” Chiweshe’s blood a few weeks back, were chanting his name as the final whistle pierced through at sunset.

Dynamos had gone for two league games without a win and the 2-0 defeat to Lengthens allowed Gunners to knock them off the perch, resulting in an orgy of violence after that match.

The defeats invited a witch-hunting exercise at the country’s biggest club but it all ended up with female physiotherapist Abigail Munikwa being sacrificed, albeit for superstitious reasons.

The decision has been condemned throughout the capital as it smacks of sexual discrimination.

She had absolutely nothing to do with the club’s loss of form and it was so ridiculous to hear some fans attributing DeMbare’s victory to her dismissal.

But club chairman Partson Moyo last night distanced himself from the decision and insisted that Munikwa was still employed by the club.

“We never dismissed her. I was surprised to read in the Press about her supposed dismissal, but she never got that from the executive.

“As far as I’m concerned, she is still at Dynamos and we will sit down with her to clarify our position,” said Moyo.

One man who, however, left Rufaro relieved was Chiweshe and he must have been happy too with the performance of prodigal son Evans Gwekwerere.

Chiweshe threw Gwekwerere into the fray from the start and the striker repaid his faith with a polished performance as he played a simple and effective game, partnering Malajila in attack.

There had been so many questions raised about Gwekwerere, but yesterday the gap-toothed hitman walked a mile towards convincing his doubters that he deserves a starting place.

DeMbare midfielder Milton Makopa also gave a good account of himself with an efficient job as a shield for the defence.

Dynamos did everything they could, but just couldn’t get the breakthrough as Hwange kept their defensive third well-marshalled.

But just as Chiweshe had complained about the last time DeMbare were on duty at the same venue, his strikers were guilty of fluffing chances.

The home side only got a real sniff at goal after 11 minutes of probing when Gwekwerere’s clever lob sent Benjamin Marere clear, but the former Mwana Africa man put so much power into his effort, resulting in it lacking precision, driving his close range effort wide off Timothy Sibanda’s goal.

Hwange were anonymous in the final third, but they maintained a heavy presence in their defensive third repelling the Dynamos attacks.

DeMbare returned with only their second real scoring opportunity on 21 minutes and again it was Gwekwerere with an audacious back heel who set up Carrington Gomba just outside the box.

But Gomba lacked the striking technique and drove his effort high and wide off the mark.

The home side were forced to make a change just after the half-hour mark when Nicolas Alifandika limped off injured and made way for midfielder Wonder Sithole.

Dynamos pounded on the visitors and were kept out 10 minutes from the break after a sizzling Marere drive was punched to safety by Sibanda.

But DeMbare’s presence in the final third finally paid dividends a minute later when Reuben Mhlanga curled a fine cross off a free-kick that was partially cleared before Magariro pounced on the rebound for the opener.

Despite the setback, Hwange picked themselves up and began taking the game to the home side with Farai Vimisai keeping the ball as if it belonged to him.

He kept the white shirts back pedalling, but was often let down by his strikers who kept meekly losing possession. But it was DeMbare who kept threatening with Malajila driving a Gwekwerere fine pass just wide on 55 minutes before a diving header from the ex-Moroka Swallows striker was smothered moments later.

Dynamos hauled off Gomba for captain Desmond Maringwa and it wasn’t long after his arrival that the Harare giants doubled their advantage.

The Hwange defence was guilty of ball-watching when Brighton Tuwaya flighted the ball from the right and it found Malajila unmarked and the deadly hitman headed firmly into the nets as Sibanda remained rooted to the spot.

Hwange gave the goal cheaply and only tested Ephraim Mazarura with a fine Tongai Magwendere low strike from a set piece which the Dynamos goalkeeper did well to keep out.

Both sides had equal chances to score with Hwange’s Thabani Moyo beating an offside trap, but he failed to beat Mazarura in a one-on-one scenario before substituite Phillip Marufu streaked away from his marker but poked straight at Sibanda.

Chiweshe was relieved at the end of the game and once again appealed to the club supporters to keep rallying behind the team.

“I knew that it was just a phase (loss of form); it always comes to an end. What we just needed to do was to put our house in order.

“Like I said, this is the moment we need our supporters. They shouldn’t shun us when things are going bad, we need them.

“What we just need to do for now is to pull up our socks. It’s not going to be easy to stay on top, but if the boys keep up the spirit they showed today, we will remain on top. It’s about character,” said Chiweshe.

TEAMS:

Dynamos: E. Mazarura; B. Tuwaya; R. Mhlanga; G. Magariro; W. Mapfumo; M. Makopa; C. Gomba (D. Maringwa 67th minute); N. Alifandika (W. Sithole 30th minute); B. Marere; C. Malajila; E. Gwekwerere (P. Marufu 77th minute).

Hwange: T. Sibanda; B. Sande; A. Chuma; D. Boriwondo; S. Ndlovu; N. Tshuma; J. Phiri; S. Meleza; F. Vimisai (T. Moyo 78th minute); A. Nyoni; G. Zulu.

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Tags: Dynamos