Harare City stun Dynamos 1-0 in PSL

By Augustine Hwata

Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

Harare City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1

HARARE City forward Quinton Masika rose from the bench to score what could remain a memorable goal in his career as Dynamos star midfielder Denver Mukamba saw red in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Rufaro yesterday.

Masika tapped the ball home in injury time when he connected a low cross from Silas Songani to power debutants Harare City to only their second win of the season.

Before yesterday’s victory, Harare City had only beaten Gunners 2-1 on April 15 at Gwanzura with Masika scoring a goal while Willard Kalongonda weighed in with another.

The former Harare United striker had come in for Godfrey Nguwodzawo and the match was seemingly heading for a stalemate when Mukamba received his second yellow card and the subsequent red.

Warriors midfielder, Mukamba who had received a caution from referee Ruzive Ruzive earlier in the second half, earned another yellow card when he fouled Trymore Nyamadzawo in the Harare City half just a minute from full time.

Dynamos appeared to have lost their concentration after Mukamba’s expulsion and in that brief moment, the Sunshine Boys capitalized and stole a late winner.

Songani whipped in a cross from the near right corner flag and the ball found Masika who ghosted between David Kutyauripo and Patson Jaure to drill past Arubi.

Some fans had already left the stadium anticipating that the match was heading for a draw while Harare City could have been surprised by the wild celebrations from fans on the northern stand that usually houses CAPS United fans.

But it was Masika who will cherish yesterday’ match for much longer after his side had missed chances especially in the first half and Dynamos had also hit the upright post from a Takesure Chinyama effort just a few minutes before.

“The only thing I told myself was to believe in how I was playing. It was good that I managed to score at the last minute and I am happy for that,” said Masika.

Masika had taken advantage of break in the Premiership to shake off an ankle injury. “I had a long layoff with an ankle injury and returning with a goal after missing four games made me happy. “The goal is my second after I scored against Gunners. It has now given me confidence and I will continue to work hard.

“It was a payback time to my coach who has shown confidence by throwing me into the fray. I have now fully recovered and I hope I will keep on scoring important goals for the team,” said Masika.

Harare City coach Bigboy Mawiwi said he was confident of a victory even as his team was walking on the edge. Mawiwi, a former Dynamos assistant coach, said he had told his players to believe in themselves.

“This is a good result for us and it’s a morale booster ahead of the match against Black Mambas at the weekend. Our team had been playing very well except that a positive result has not been coming our way. I told my players to be confident,” said Mawiwi.

Harare City had a slight advantage in midfield where Dembare’s Devon Chafa was second to the ball on most occasions. Former Dynamos and Gunners midfielder Nathan Ziwini showed a lot of creativity for Harare City while Mukamba also tried hard for the Glamour Boys.

The introduction of Takesure Chinyama failed to bring any goals for Dynamos as Harare City players never gave the former Legia Warsaw forward any room each time he gained possession.

However, the predatory Chinyama came close as he hit the upright post just before Harare City scored their winner on the other end. “My boys lacked composure in the first half and I told them not to rush things. Dynamos were playing long balls, looking for Chinyama and I told my players to mark him tight,” said Mawiwi.

Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa bemoaned the missed chances. “The better team of the day won and we lost the game. The defeat has dampened our confidence because we missed chances and lacked concentration,” said Pasuwa.

Teams:

Dynamos: W. Arubi, D. Kutyauripo, T. Magorimbo, G. Zhokinyi, P. Jaure, T. Muparati, D. Mukamba, D. Chafa, M. Murape (T. Mabvura 70th min), M. Vengesayi (T. Chinyama 58th min) R. Mutuma  (D. Kabwe 74th min)

Harare City: J. Nomore, R. Dongo, T. Nyamadzawo, K. Chidzero, E. Tapera, W. Musaka, N. Ziwini, F. Kuswatuka, T. Petros (R. Maketo 86th min), S. Songani, G. Nguwodzawo (Q. Masika 77th min).