By Grace Chingoma
Dynamos ……………………………….(1)3
Highlanders …………………………….(1)1
Harare giants Dynamos survived an early setback to turn the heat on old enemies Highlanders in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Battle of Zimbabwe clash at Rufaro yesterday.
Crucially for Callisto Pasuwa’s men, the victory helped them breathe heavily down leaders FC Platinum’s neck with just a point separating the two teams after the Zvishavane moneybags suffered a 2-1 reverse to Gunners at Lafarge on Saturday.
A brace by Rodrick Mutuma either side of the break guaranteed Dynamos a deserved win before a near capacity crowd at Rufaro. After Dynamos legend Moses Chunga did the Harare giants a huge favour when his Gunners beat pacesetters Platinum on Saturday, the Glamour Boys knew they needed to take full advantage to keep the title chase on.
However, it was not easy as DeMbare found themselves on the back foot just after a minute and 30 seconds when Eric Mudzingwa shot home after Dynamos goalkeeper Washington Arubi had spilled a Simon Munawa effort.
But eight minutes later Dynamos were back in the game when Mutuma levelled terms, firing into the nets off a fine delivery from Cuthbert Malajila who did justice to a through ball, which had come from midfielder Denver Mukamba deep in DeMbare’s half.
The hosts then surged ahead in the 70th minute when the lanky former Sporting Manhenga forward completed his brace, taking advantage of some poor marking and defensive lapse by Bosso to fire into the far right of Lovemore Makwavarara’s goal.
As is becoming his trademark Dynamos substitute Martin Vengesayi then secured the insurance goal for the Glamour Boys when he found the target three minutes from time. The speedy forward connected with a Mukamba cross from the flank and blasted home to send the Dynamos fans in the 19 683 fans who paid to watch, into ecstasy. The latest in the Battle of Zimbabwe series grossed US$67 364.
While the match was definitely not short of action the Kwekwe based referee Thabani Bamala was also busy as eight players found themselves in his little book. Dynamos midfielders Milton Makopa, Tawanda Muparati, Murape Murape, Mutuma and Mukamba were yellow carded while Highlanders had Mudzingwa, Munawa and Bruce Tshuma booked.
DeMbare’s Murape could have even carelessly earned a second caution on the stroke of the hour when he shoved veteran Bosso defender Bekithemba Ndlovu who was taking his time to leave the pitch following a substitution. Dynamos assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya, although happy with the win said it was still tough for them as they face Platinum and in form Hwange away.
“We are taking it game by game. We still have four games to play with difficult matches against Platinum and Hwange away but hopefully we will collect maximum points.
“We just have to do our job and not look at how other teams are playing and I am glad we did very well today. We were not in it in Masvingo but that is football, the boys showed character coming from the defeat. We started off slowly and conceded a goal, picked ourselves up, slowed down again and after the break we came back a changed side,” said Ndiraya.
Bosso coach Mkhupali “Mr Cooper” Masuku said despite the set back it was still game on. Masuku is however still not happy with the behaviour of Highlanders supporters who ran riot after they were held by Shooting Stars at Barbourfields last weekend. The Bulawayo giants are winless in their last three league matches.
They were held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe Saints before losing to Chauya Chikwata in the Mbada Diamonds Cup 7-6 on penalties. They were then stunned 1-0 by Black Mambas.
“We have to be worried about things we can control and not things we can’t. We will try to finish somewhere. We have to solider on. I think the game was fair when it was 1-all. We didn’t defend but it’s part of the game. We are disappointed,” said Masuku.
Bosso’s goal came when many fans had not even found their seats in the stadium following the chaos that characterised Dynamos’ handling of the entry points. But once Mutuma, scoring his 11th goal of the season, brought DeMbare level, the tide swung in the hosts’ favour and there was time for the Dynamos striker to add to his tally as he chases the Premiership Golden Boot award.
Bosso keeper Makwavarara was forced to make fine saves in the first period denying Malajila after a quarter of an hour. Mukamba had a moment of brilliance in the 33rd minute when he left his markers for dead but saw his shot rebound off the woodwork. Malajila watched in agony again in the 36th minute when the impressive Makwavarara denied him.
Dynamos and Warriors goalkeeper Washington Arubi was drawn ito action in the 28th minute when he saved a dangerous free kick from Highlanders’ Honest Moyo.
Early in the second period, Dynamos missed chance after chance with former Chapungu man Malajila being selfish in the 76th minute when he went for glory after he received a pass from Vengesayi and instead of returning it to the better positioned substitute he chose to do it alone.
With Mukamba, Muparati and Malajila on song for DeMbare, Highlanders had to rely on the exploits of Makwavarara to avoid conceding a flurry of goals. Yet Bosso could have sneaked in a goal in the 78th minute when Mudzingwa flashed a header but Arubi tipped the effort over.
Teams
Dynamos
W. Arubi, G. Magariro, G. Zhokinyi, A. Mbara, T. Magorimbo, M. Makopa(L. Kurauzvione 77th minute), T. Mparati, M. Murape, D. Mukamba, R. Mutuma(A. Gutu 83rd minute), C. Malajila.
Highlanders
L. Makwavarara, G. Banda, I. Mapuranga, B. Tshuma, B. Ndlovu (X. Ncube 60th minute), R. Kutsanzira, H. Moyo, L. Matawu, S. Munawa, V. Nzombe (G. Ncube 85th minute), E. Mudzingwa.