Unstoppable Dynamos beat Monomotapa

By Eddie Chikamhi

Dynamos are simply unstoppable! The Harare giants’ jaggernaut yesterday added 2008 champions Monomotapa among its victims when they put up another convincing display to see off battling Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe’s men and extend their winning streak to six games.

Dynamos …….(1) 2 Monomotapa….0

DeMbare carried the day through goals from strikers Evans Gwekwerere and Cuthbert Malajila. Gwekwerere, who has now rattled the back of the nets five times this season, grabbed the opener in the 33rd minute before Malajila sealed victory for the Glamour Boys five minutes after the breather.

The win ensured Dynamos maintain their pressure on log leaders Motor Action, who have now extended their points tally to 19 after a 3-0 demolition of FC Victoria on Saturday. But Dynamos, with 18 points in the bag, have one game in hand and could go atop if they manage a win in their rescheduled match against Gunners.

But Monomotapa should be credited for their flowing brand of football although they lacked potency in front of goal. They were the first to test their opponents when defender Vorster Chitema received a pass from midfielder Tendai Ngulube and fired a grounder that goalkeeper Washington Arubi did well to collect nine minutes into the game.

It took Dynamos some time to settle down and when they finally got into the groove, DeMbare never let off the their foot from the pedal. Dynamos, animated by the pace of winger Benjamin Marere, enjoyed a lot of space inside the Monomotapa territory and this forced Jongwe to abandon the 3-5-2 formation in the second half.

Marere embarrassed Ocean Mushure turning him twice before sending in a low cross that defender Lincoln Zvasiya almost scooped into his own goal in an attempt to clear but the ball found goalkeeper Tapiwa Mafunga on full alert in the 30th minute.

Dynamos took the lead three minutes later when the Monomotapa defence was found flat-footed and Gwekwerere connected home a cross from the right to ignite wild celebrations among the team’s faithful at Rufaro. Gwekwerere has scored a goal in all the matches played at Rufaro this season.

His strike partner Malajila, who bounced back to the Glamour Boys’ fold last week, marked his return with a well-connected shot from a cross by Marere on the right flank. It was a well-deserved goal for the former Chapungu man who had won possession in midfield and released Marere on the wing before running into space.

Malajila then connected first time from the return pass. Dynamos coach Elvis Chiweshe was ecstatic with the victory and praised his charges for maintaining their consistency. Chiweshe demanded that other teams in the Premiership should respect Dynamos for their strong character.

“We played very well and I am glad we keep on improving with each game. It was a very good game for both sides because Monomotapa were playing passing football which we also enjoy playing.

“The only thing that separated us was the fact that we managed to take our chances and score goals but my appeal to other teams is that they should respect Dynamos.

“People should know that Dynamos is a big team which deserves to be respected even if they seem to be playing badly. Our character will always win us games and coaches should not look at how we perform against other teams,” said Chiweshe.

Monomotapa missed some clear chances that could have at least inspired new life into the game but coach Jongwe conceded defeat and revealed that he would not want to put his players under pressure.

“I don’t want to blame anyone for the defeat. The players missed chances in front of goal and it happens in football.

“As I have said before people should come and watch entertaining football and we tried to spread the ball although the goal didn’t come. We did everything that we could but it was unfortunate that we were the losing side.

“Dynamos took their chances and scored and the fact that they scored twice and we didn’t shows that they were the better side. “Otherwise it was a good game from both sides,” said Jongwe.

Team Line Ups:

Dynamos: W. Arubi, K. Banda, P. Sithole, G. Zhokinyu, G. Magariro, A. Rambanepasi, T. Mamvura, B. Marere, E. Gwekwerere (D. Chivandire 69th minute), W. Sithole (N. Alifandika 55th minute), C Malajila.

Monomotapa: T. Mafunga, O. Mushure, V. Chitema (J. Mutambiranwa 60th minute), L. Zvasiya, T. Munyaduri, L. Simango, T Ngulube, T. Khumbuyani (T. Samanja 60th minute), C. Chiutsa, D Kamunenga (M. Kawashu 67th minute), K. Musharu.

Other Results at a glance

Dynamos 2, Monomotapa 0

Eagles 0, Douglas Warriors 0

Bantu Rovers 2, Black Mambas 0

Hwange 1, Highlanders 0

Shooting Stars 1, Gunners 2

Motor Action 3, FC Victoria 0

Lengthens 2, CAPS United 3

Kiglon 0, Shabanie Mine 1

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