Dynamos 0 (1) ……………….CAPS United 0 (0)
Tawanda Muparati scored in the 81st minute to hand Dynamos a 1-0 victory over bitter city rivals CAPS United at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday. The midfield kingpin scored with a volley from outside the box to send DeMbare fans into dreamland.
By Ishemunyoro Chingwere
Dynamos continued their dominance over bitter rivals Caps United with a proud victory in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro on Saturday.
An unmarked Tawanda Muparati scored with a well taken volley from outside the box 10 minutes from time, sending the predominantly Dynamos crowd into a frenzy as the two teams appeared to be heading for a draw.
Caps United, who were the better side, were left cursing their misfortune when defender Tawanda Munyanduri’s half-clearance in the box was flicked on by Douglas Walaza, falling kindly for Muparati who connected beautifully to beat a diving Edmore Sibanda.
The game got off to a blistering pace with both teams sizing each other up, but it was Caps who settled earlier with the impressive Shingi Kawondera causing anxious moments for Dynamos.
With barely five minutes on the clock, Kawondera dribbled past Thomas Magorimbo on the wing and charged towards goal before unleashing a rising shot but DeMbare goalminder George Chigova was equal to the task with Caps United fans already up on their feet.
The Green Machine’s best chance of the game came three minutes later when Rahman Kutsanzira got the better of Magorimbo on the left side and sent in a cross which was met by Leonard Fiyado whose header agonisingly hit the post with Chigova a beaten man.
But Dynamos were not to be intimidated. In the 11th minute, Cliff Sekete collected a pass from Rodrick Mutuma and roasted Douglas Walaza but his cut-in was well read by Sibanda who averted danger for United.
On the 24th minute Mukamba, back from trials in South Africa, collected the ball in central midfield, and sprayed it wide on the right to Sekete. The former Gunners forward then subtracted one defender and played it to Mutuma who then laid it onto a running Mukamba but the latter’s weak shot went just wide.
DeMbare were then forced to make an injury-inspired substitution with 33 minutes played, taking off skipper Guthrie Zhokinyi for George Magariro in central defence.
With six minutes to play before the break, Mukamba got sight of goal after a pass from Mabvura on the left flank but his shot again went wide with Sibanda seemingly off-guard.
Caps then launched a quick counter attack from the resultant goal kick but Kawondera, who had done well to evade a Muparati challenge in midfield, was fouled by the combative Milton Makopa and the midfielder was duly cautioned by the referee, much to the chagrin of the Dynamos fans. After the break the game slowed down with both teams failing to reproduce the passes they had exhibited in the first period.
Kawondera, who had been pulling the strings for Caps in the first half with his work-rate and exquisite ball control, could no longer sparkle as he had to contend with Makopa who came back from the breather in uncompromising mood.
The former Warriors forward was duly substituted after complaining of a back injury for Pride Tafirenyika who however failed to effectively combine with Rahman Kutsanzira and Marvel Samaneka as Kawondera had done. The defending champions’ confidence rose after Kawondera’s departure and, with 10 minutes to play, Muparati broke the deadlock with a volley which gave Sibanda no chance.
Buoyed by the goal, Dynamos players led by Mukamba and second-half substitute Farai Mupasiri exhibited some brilliant ball artistry which made a mockery of their opponents. After the match, Dynamos assistant coach Tonderayi Ndiraya was all praises for his charges.
“The boys put up a brilliant fight and deserved this win. With a bit of luck and accuracy we could have won by a bigger margin. Caps gave us a good run for our money but you could see that we wanted it more than them and we are very happy with the three points,” Ndiraya said.
Sean Connor, the losing side’s mentor, could not hide his disappointment but remained confident his charges will come right.
“The boys executed the game plan very well and we dominated for long periods but, unfortunately, we could not convert the chances that came our way. As a manager it is my duty to encourage the players to put the defeat behind them and move forward,” said Connor.
Teams
Dynamos: G Chigova, T Magorimbo, M Makopa, D Mukamba, T Muparati, R Mutuma, G Zhokinyi (G Magariro 33rd), T Mabvura (M Murape 57th), P Jaure, O Mushure, C Sekete ( F Mupasiri 62nd )
Caps United: E Sibanda, E Chafungamoyo, L Fiyado (W Pakamisa 65th), S Kawondera (P Tafirenyika 77th), T Khumbuyani, R Kutsanzira, T Munyanduri, D Rediyoni (C Kawinga 55th), M Samaneka, D Walaza, B Zabula.
