DeMbare drop points against Chapungu

By Eddie Chikamhi

Dynamos . . . .(0) 1
Chapungu .. . (1) 1

DYNAMOS coach Callisto Pasuwa says they were their own worst enemies after the Harare giants failed to grab the advantage to extend their lead at the top of the Castle Lager Premiership soccer table when they were held to a draw by Chapungu at Rufaro yesterday.

The Glamour Boys dropped two crucial points at home, but still managed to remain in control of the championship race after their closest rivals ZPC Kariba, Highlanders and CAPS United lost at the weekend.

Despite creating a three-point cushion at the top of the table with four games remaining, Pasuwa was still not a happy man following a lifeless performance by his team which lacked creativity, especially in the opening half as they went to the breather trailing 1-0.

Their former player Phillip Marufu gave the visitors an unlikely lead after 41 minutes when he beat youthful goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva from close-range.

Mukuruva, who had a bright day in the office yesterday, was thrust into the starting line-up again ahead of Artwell Mukandi, who has just returned from a hip injury.

But after conceding first, it looked like Dynamos would not recover from the setback because of their passive performance. This, however, was not until second half substitute Simba Sithole came on and penned one moment of brilliance soon after the restart to save the game for the home side.

“I think the problem was that our first 45 minutes we were asleep. We were second to the ball and everything that we were doing was in the negative side,” said Pasuwa.

“Maybe it’s the approach again that will make us win the championship. The race is still wide open, like I have been saying. We have to play each game as it comes and see what happens at the end of the season,” Pasuwa said.

With four games remaining in the season, Dynamos are now sitting on 50 points. Pasuwa knew that a win yesterday could have extended their cushion to five points after surprise packages ZPC Kariba, who still managed to retain second place despite their faltering, had lost to FC Platinum the day before.

But there was nothing in the Dynamos way of play to suggest the sort of urgency their supporters would have expected as they floundered yesterday, with most of their players apparently off-form and indifferent.

Stephen Alimenda fought a lone battle in the middle of the park and Walter Mukanga was never in the game as DeMbare were always second to the ball. Even the introduction of veteran Murape Murape later in the game could not change the fortunes.

Upfront Rodereck Mutuma and Washington Pakamisa were hopeless as clear chances were few and far between. Mutuma stood guilty of missing from two good opportunities as he paid the price for complacency when he reacted casually to a fine cross by Oscar Machapa in the 81st minute and failed to control his header.

Mutuma was presented with a chance to redeem himself about two minutes later, but he headed wide from a cross by Sithole.

By and large, Chapungu were not troubled and their goalkeeper Polite Sibanda was largely at ease. The Gweru airmen also did well to contain their opponents as they succeeded in slowing down the game.

It appeared that was the tactic from the start as goalkeeper Sibanda was continuously going down to disturb the flow of the game, much to the frustration of the home players.

Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino said their game plan was premised on possession and their counter-attacks appeared more organised.

Veteran Chapungu forward Marufu was always a threat while Gift Phiri and skipper Talent Mwale were always there to provide the back-up going forward.

But there was nothing to write home about until the 41st minute when Marufu controlled a high ball from Mwale on the right flank and fired home from close-range after the Dynamos defenders failed to clear their lines.

Ocean Mushure had a good game returning from injury and did well with his crosses from the left yesterday. Substitute Sithole then saved the day for the Glamour Boys with his first contribution of the day after coming on as a 46th minute substitute to replace out-of-sorts Mukanga.

Sithole connected first-time with a volley after being set through by Ronald Chitiyo following a high ball from Ocean Mushure.

Chapungu coach Nyikadzino nonetheless was happy with the share of the spoils, which meant they collected four points from Dynamos this year. The airmen beat Dynamos 1-0 at Ascot earlier in the year, but they are still not safe from relegation.

“It’s a plus for us. I am happy with the point though I thought we could have won the match 1-0.

“We went to sleep in the first 10 minutes of the second half. There was complacency and we conceded,” said Nyikadzino. The Herald

Teams

Dynamos: T. Mukuruva, O. Machapa, O. Mushure, T. Ndlovu, A. Mbara, S. Alimenda, R. Chitiyo, W. Mukanga (S. Sithole, 46th minute), W. Pakamisa, R. Mutuma, T. Rusike (M. Murape, 75th minute)

Chapungu: P. Sibanda, J. Mabugu, C. Murisa, C. Kwaramba (B. Zabula, 85th minute), W. Ngonya, N. Murisa, M. Mavuto, G. Phiri, T. Mwale (M. Manase, 73rd minute), P. Marufum C. Maheya (V. Bangira, 83rd minute)