Champions DeMbare held to draw again

From Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane

Shabanie Mine…………………………………………….(0) 1

Dynamos…………………………………………………….(0) 1

SHABANIE – Champions Dynamos’ false start to the defence of their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title continued yesterday when they stumbled to their third straight draw after being held by Shabanie Mine at Maglas.

Just when it seemed that Patrick Khumbula’s strike would give Dynamos their first win of the campaign, Shabanie without a point nor a goal until yesterday’s match, refused to throw in the towel and gallantly fought their way back into the game to force a draw when Munyaradzi Kunyarimwe struck the equaliser with seven minutes remaining.

It was Dynamos’ third identical 1-1 draw since Callisto Pasuwa’s men began their 2013 campaign against Black Mambas at Morris Depot on Good Friday. In that game, Dynamos had to fight from behind to avoid the blushes of opening their season with a defeat.

It was a similar tale when a Cliff Sekete second half header helped them come from behind to secure their second draw against Chicken Inn at Rufaro.

Pasuwa watched in anguish yesterday as his charges failed to hold onto their lead against a Shabanie side that played with 10 men for the last 20 minutes after skipper Smart Muchabaiwa was sent off for abusive language by referee Pilani Ncube.

The Shabanie captain felt the referee should have allowed a penalty for a foul by Gift Bello on Tarisai Rukanda and kept on remonstrating with him after Rukanda was booked for simulation.

Dynamos were also left wondering when Ugandan import Boban Zirintusa would open his account in the Premiership after he fluffed a number of chances that came his way.

The Uganda Cranes forward, however, played a key role in setting up former Triangle hitman Khumbula for his goal on the hour. In a rather drab encounter, Dynamos had a chance to increase their lead in the 68th minute through substitute Washington Pakamisa, who had come on for Zirintusa.

Khumbula won the ball on the right and got the better of Kunyarimwe before sending a cross into the box but Pakamisa, when it looked harder to miss than to score, directed his effort wide with only goalkeeper Roy Mazingi to beat.

Midfielder Tawanda Muparati was next in line to send his effort wide when he was fed inside the box in the 77th minute by Khumbula. Former CAPS United man Pakamisa was guilty of another missed chance when he sent a fine Muparati pass into the skies.

After the tale of misses and near misses, Shabanie Mine finally got it right when they found their first goal of 2013 in the 83rd minute and what a beauty it was.

The hosts won a free kick from about 30 metres out and former Gunners man Kunyarimwe took the responsibility, beautifully curling the ball past Artwell Mukandi, who was in goals for the champions.

The goal sent the Shabanie Mine fans into song and dance as they were assured a share of the spoils after a poor start of the season. Shabanie fell 2-0 to Highlanders in their first game then slumped to a 0-3 defeat away to newboys Triangle in their second game.

Dynamos, who were knocked out of the cash rich Champions League on Sunday, are not only without a league win but have been finding the going tough in front of goal where they have failed to score more than once in all the games they have played this season.

A relieved Shabanie coach Arnold Jani praised his charges for their fighting spirit. “I am happy that though we were down to 10 men we managed to snatch a point. I, however, feel that my player Muchabaiwa (Smart) did not deserve the red card.

“I would like to pay tribute to the fans because it was their support that also helped us to get a share of the spoils. It was a fantastic game and I still need to work with my strikers so that they convert their chances,” said Jani.

Pasuwa said he was still looking forward to collecting maximum points. “I am still looking for the three points. I might have pressure from the fans but I am focused on the job. My guys played well but we missed so many chances,’’ Pasuwa said.

He also defended Zirintusa. “Boban (Zirintusa) is getting there and I am happy that he is getting into scoring positions but I want to work with him more in training so that he improves his precision in front of goal. We are slowly getting there though we are failing to get the goals,” Pasuwa said. The Herald

Teams:

Shabanie Mine: R Mazingi, P Zimunya (W Ngonya 80th),B Tuwaya, R Makiwa (C. Masocha 65th minute),V Ndaba (F Musunye 80th minute), B Mbavarira, F Chirinda, F. Bushire,T Rukanda, M Kunyarimwe, S Muchabayiwa

Dynamos: A Mukandi, T Magorimbo, O Mushure (D. Chafa 88th minute) A Mbara, G Bello, P Jaure, T Muparati, C Sekete, T Mabvura (R Madamombe 84th minute), P Khumbula, B Zirintusa (W. Pakamisa 61st minute ).