Dynamos misfire in draw with Shabanie

By Paul Mundandi

Shabanie Mine..0
Dynamos………..0

DYNAMOS coach Callisto Pasuwa failed to collect maximum points at Maglas yesterday in a match his strikers continued to misfire in front of goal as Shabanie Mine’s substitute goalkeeper London Zulu stole the show in this Castle Lager Premiership soccer match.

The Harare giants have now managed to pick up only one point in their last three outings as they made a slow start in defence of their title.
DeMbare had hoped to use returning striker Roderick Mutuma yesterday to boost their attack but the forward had not been registered by the Premier Soccer League despite confirmation by Zifa that he was eligible.

Mutuma, who watched the match from the dugout, was at pains when his fellow strikers were failing to bury the numerous chances that came their way.

Their coach Pasuwa was, however, relieved with the point as his side bounced back from two back-to-back defeats at the hands of Chapungu and Buffaloes.

“We are improving because we got a point after losing two games in a row. I am, however, worried with my strikers. We dominated the first 45 minutes but we lacked the technique to score. In terms of defending, we have improved but we need to go back to the drawing board,” he said.

However, yesterday’s match was compounded by poor officiating from Gweru-based referee Thomas Massa who stole the limelight for the wrong reasons that left a number of fans and officials shaking their heads.

Dynamos players on a number of occasions got away with murder as they handled the ball and the referee never blew his whistle. Many fouls went unpunished as well in a match DeMbare’s midfielder Stephen Alimenda shone like a beacon besides being already visible with his tinted hair.

Shabanie Mine coach John Phiri voiced his concern over the way the match was handled.
“I do not normally complain about referees but the truth is some of them are killing football. Every time we attacked the referee defended for Dynamos by stopping play.

“And when Dynamos were attacking with our players down injured, he waved play on. I am satisfied with the result as I feel it was the fairest. Dynamos dominated the first half and we dominated the second but the greatest thing was both set of fans enjoyed football,” said Phiri.

Goalkeeper Victor Twaliki had to be stretchered off the pitch after he was hit by the knee on the jaw when he clashed with Tafadzwa Rusike in the 25th minute. He was bleeding through the nose, mouth and his teeth were shaking with one of his eyes failing to open.

Simba Sithole could have put Dynamos in the lead in the 65th minute when he out jumped the static Shabanie defence to meet a Tichaona Mabvura cross from the left  only to see his effort saved by Zulu.

Dynamos’ best chance of collecting maximum points fell in the 86th minute. Substitute Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo won the ball in the middle of the park and threaded a pass to Blessing Moyo on the right.

Moyo responded with a right-footer at the edge of the box but the former ZPC Hwange goalkeeper Zulu saved his effort much to the relief of the Shabanie Mine fans.

Shabanie will, however, felt hard done by first assistant referee Allan Parehwa who raised his flag up after Daniel Chakupa had the ball in the back of the nets.

Shabanie missed Talbott Mtombeni and they struggled upfront as Carlos Mesi was just a passenger with Chakupa failing to justify his inclusion as he was late on the ball and  his body language  showed he was not match fit.

To help himself from the demanding fans, he feigned injury and had to be taken off for Hardlife Muvundi who never put a foot wrong. Dynamos goal-minder George Chigova was not tested in the first half and he could have read a book as the Shabanie strikers were kept at bay save for Allan Tavarwisa, who showed some flashes of brilliance. Most of the miners’ players seemed overwhelmed by playing the defending champions. The Herald

Teams

Shabanie Mine: V. Twaliki(L. Zulu 25th minute),G. Murwira, N. Merson, S. Muchabayiwa, R. Mware, D. Sibanda, Z. Bizeki, L. Matawu, D. Chakupe (H. Muvundi ,61st minute), A. Tavarwisa, C. Messi (A. Mukwena 77th minute)

Dynamos: G. Chigova, B. Moyo, O. Mushure, P. Jaure, S. Alimenda, D. Chafa (S. Linyama ,84th minute),T. Ndlovu, S. Ndlovu, C. Sekete (P. Khumbula 61st minute),T. Rusike (R. Chitiyo, 77th minute), S. Sithole