Dynamos one match away from league title

From Eddie Chikamhi in Zvishavane

FC Platinum ………………………………….0

Dynamos …………………………………….. (0) 1

Harare giants Dynamos edged closer to the championship when they beat rivals FC Platinum in a tension-filled Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Mandava yesterday and go top of the table for the first time this season.

The win for DeMbare means the title will now be decided in the last round of matches in Harare next week when Dynamos host Kiglon at Rufaro while FC Platinum seek maximum points against Shooting Stars.

FC Platinum, who led the log standings by three points going into the match, had hoped to wrap up the championship with a victory over DeMbare, but the pendulum swung in favour of the visitors after the hosts’ defender Daniel Veremu flicked the ball into the top corner of his own nets from a freekick taken by Guthrie Zhokinyi just inside their half in the 66th minute.

The Glamour Boys then held on to the precious goal, which was their first outside Harare this season, and wild celebrations followed when referee Nkosana Nduna blew the final whistle.

Dynamos and FC Platinum are now level on 55 points but DeMbare have a better goal difference of +25 while FC Platinum have +21. The Glamour Boys’ assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya was over the moon with the victory, which took them top of the table with a healthy four-goal advantage over FC Platinum.

“The guys did a wonderful job today. They fought hard the whole 90 minutes and I think they deserved the victory. I am very happy for them.

“We got the three points and that solitary goal took us top of the table for the first time this season. With only one round of matches remaining what more would you ask for?” said Ndiraya.

There was much at stake for both teams and the attendance was fitting for such a match which was arguably the climax of an eventful season.

It was also difficult to ignore the tension on the terraces where fans from both sides displayed deplorable behaviour by raining missiles onto the pitch to show their disapproval of anything that was not to their taste and in a sad ending Dynamos midfielder Murape Murape had to be helped out of the stadium after he was struck with a stone at the end of the game.

FC Platinum were bubbling with confidence from the start and were the first to test their opponents when Joel Ngodzo took a short corner kick and fed midfielder Charles Sibanda on the right flank.

The Soccer Star of the year then unleashed a cracking grounder that demanded the best from goalkeeper Washington Arubi six minutes into the game. The Warriors goalkeeper was nearly beaten when he missed a long throw-in from Kumbulani Banda and the Dynamos defenders had to scramble the ball to safety in the 19th minute.

Arubi was again called to make a crucial save when he tipped the ball over the crossbar to deny Zephaniah Ngodzo from a freekick in the 32nd minute. It took time for Dynamos to settle down in a first half that was evenly contested but the Harare giants dominated the second half, with hosts’ goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube making a number of good saves.

Dynamos’ leading scorer Roderick Mutuma could have done better in the 11th minute when he turned his marker but he miscued his shot as goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube closed in to thwart the charge. Mutuma could have added to his tally of 13 league goals had he connected well a cross by David Kutyauripo in the 80th minute.

Dynamos owed much of their success to roving rightback David Kutyauripo who ventureed into the opposition territory with his runs down the right flank.

Kutyauripo, who had a brilliant afternoon, could have been rewarded with a goal soon after the restart but his ferocious strike was denied by the upright with goalkeeper Dube beaten. DeMbare launched another raid in the 57th minute when they took a freekick but Mutuma could not locate his right foot when faced with the keeper.

DeMbare were almost gifted a goal in the 83rd minute following a communication breakdown between skipper Zephaniah Ngodzo and goalkeeper Dube but the goalkeeper recovered quickly and blocked out Malajila’s effort.

Former Dynamos midfielder Benjamin Marere, who came on as a second half substitute, could have levelled terms in the 88th minute but he misdirected his effort over the bar from close range after receiving the ball from Charles Sibanda.

FC Platinum who had planned a big bash after the game were devasted by the defeat. Coach Rahman Gumbo was at a loss for words but his assistant Tendai Chikuni blamed poor concentration for the defeat.

“If you look at it, we did well in the first half but, just like what happened in the Mbada Diamond Cup last week, we conceded a silly goal in the second half.

“I think we could have done better as people who seriously want to win the championship,” said Chikuni.

Teams

Dynamos: W. Arubi, T. Magorimbo, D. Kutyauripo, G. Bello, G. Zhokinyi, L. Kurauzvione, M. Murape (M. Vengesai, 66th minute) A. Gutu, D. Mukamba (T.Muparati, 61st minute), C. Malajila, R. Mutuma (M. Makopa, 82nd minute)

FC Platinum: T. Dube, D. Veremu, K. Banda, Z. Ngodzo, T. Togara (A. Marime, 74th minute), B. Dube, M. Mupera, N. Tshuma (B. Marere, 50th minute), J. Ngodzo (B. Ncube, 63rd minute), C. Sibanda, D. Ngoma.Castle Lager Premiership

Other Results

FC Platinum 0, Dynamos 1; Black Mambas 6, Blue Ribbon 0; Motor Action 3, Gunners 2; CAPS United 1, Shooting Stars 0; Highlanders 0, Monomotapa 0; Hwange 5, Masvingo United 2; Chicken Inn 1, Shabanie Mine 0; Kiglon 0, Zimbabwe Saints 3