Saints edge DeMbare as Mutasa booed

By Ricky Zililo

Zimbabwe Saints ……………….. (0) 1
Dynamos ……………………………….. 0

ABRAHAM MBAIWA converted a penalty as Zimbabwe Saints, featuring a number of DeMbare rejects, defeated the Glamour Boys in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Barbourfields yesterday where coach Lloyd Mutasa was booed by a section of his fans.

The match-winning goal came in the 54th minute after Dynamos left back Augustine Mbara handled in the box as he tried to win a tussle for possession against Castro Ndebele. Referee Sungano Makwangudze pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped former Highlanders striker Mbaiwa who sent Warriors’ goalkeeper Washington Arubi the wrong way to send the home supporters into frenzy.

Mbaiwa, of late, has been playing as a right back for Zimbabwe Saints and seems to enjoy his new role as he was mobile for Chikwata and that restricted Mbara from overlapping. Dynamos started the match the better side and could have scored first in the sixth minute when captain George Magariro rose high but headed over the bar after a fine delivery into the box by Farai Vimisai.

Zimbabwe Saints’ central defence of Tafadzwa Maingire and Danisa Phiri looked shaky in the opening minutes but Dynamos strikers failed to capitalise.
Chikwata turned into the better team when they settled, with Leo Kurauzvione having the game of his life in central midfield. Chikwata’s midfielders complemented each other very well and the Willard Khumalo-led technical team seemed to have done their homework as they outclassed the former champions in the midfield where they denied the visitors space to knock the ball around.

It was clear that the Dynamos midfield lacked creativity and the absence of Desmond Maringwa, Archford Gutu and Denver Mukamba was heavily felt.
Zimbabwe Saints’ playmaker Ntokozo Tshuma, anchorman Kurauzvione, Mlamuli Phakathi and Castro Ndebele were compact in midfield as they fought for every ball. Tshuma sent a through pass for striker Beavan Chikaka in the 21st minute but he blasted over the bar. Two minutes later Chikaka beat Mbara for pace and sent the ball into the box but there were no takers from Saints.

Saints went on to camp in the DeMbare’s half and in the 27th minute Chikaka tried to be spectacular as his bicycle kick found an alert Arubi. Arubi then sent a long ball to Rodreck Mutuma as DeMbare caught Chikwata on counter attack but the latter’s shot was blocked for corner by former Dynamos’ player Maingire. Tawanda Muparati wasted one of Dynamos’ best chances in the 38th minute when he blasted his effort wide with only goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya to beat. Phiri had set Muparati up in a bid to head away the ball for safety.

Three minutes before the break David Kutyauripo almost turned the ball past Arubi in a bid to intercept a weak shot by Tshuma. Chikwata returned from the breather with a positive attitude as they continued to press Dynamos and their countless raids finally paid off in the 54th minute when Mbara handled in the box. Mbaiwa sent Arubi the wrong way to score the goal that turned out to be a winner.

Makwangudze had to stop the game for three minutes in the 72nd minute when DeMbare fans in the Eastern side of the stadium began throwing missiles at Arubi’s goal area as they protested a corner kick. When play resumed, Mutasa pulled out Mutuma for Nicholas Alifandika and the move did not go down well with Dynamos fans as they booed the coach. Khumalo was happy with the result and said their strategy against Dynamos worked.

“The boys played to instructions and I am happy with their performance. Our strategy was to cut Dynamos’ supply in the midfield, which we did. We knew that Dynamos were going to play a passing game and we had to identify who was behind their moves and my players closed in very well. This is a good result considering that we beat one of the big teams in the league but we must not be carried away as there are many games to be played before the season ends. We will continue working harder,” said Khumalo.

Mutasa and his technical team refused to give post-match comments to journalists.

Teams
Zimbabwe Saints
M Diya, A Mbaiwa, P Muzondo, D Phiri, T Maingire, L Kurauzvione, N Tshuma, C Ndebele (S Gate 76th minute), B Chikaka, M Phakathi, J Nyama (N Murisa 68th minute)

Dynamos
W Arubi, G Bello, D Chafa (W Kupera 63rd minute), P Khumbula (M Vengesayi 51st minute), D Kutyauripo, G Magariro, A Mbara, T Muparati, R Mutuma (N Alifandika 74th minute), F Vimisayi, V Madamombe.

Results
All-Africa Games qualifier
Zimbabwe 2, Angola 0 (Mighty Warriors win 3-1 on aggregate and qualify for the finals)
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League
Blue Ribbon 2, Highlanders 1; Shabanie 1, Masvingo 0; Zimbabwe Saints 1, Dynamos 0
Saturday
CAPS 2, FC Platinum 2; Chicken Inn 0, Motor Action 0; Gunners 1, Monoz 1; Shooting Stars 3, Kiglon 1; Black Mambas 1, Hwange 0