Khumbula double delight as Dynamos hammer How Mine

By Augustine Hwata

Dynamos…………………….(2) 3

How Mine……………………….(0)

HARARE – Patrick Khumbula returned from injury to fire an important brace that helped champions Dynamos bounce back to winning ways in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Rufaro yesterday.

Khumbula has been dogged by injuries and had fallen down the DeMbare pecking order with Clive Kawinga and Washington Pakamisa often lining up in attack.

But yesterday Khumbula was thrust back into the starting team and he repaid coach Callisto Pasuwa’s faith in him with a double that sandwiched Russell Madamombe’s maiden goal for Dynamos

Like true champions Dynamos never kept their heads in the sand following their first defeat of the season when they crashed 3-2 to Buffaloes at Sakubva.

Crucially for Dynamos, yesterday’s victory helped them cut to just a point Highlanders’ lead at the top after the Bulawayo giants came unstuck against CAPS United in a Battle of The Cities clash at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.

Last Wednesday it was gloomy for the champions after the defeat to Buffaloes but they bounced back yesterday and did not even let the pressure that came with CAPS United’s 2-1 win over Bosso affect them as they saw off the How Mine challenge.

It was a second double by Khumbula this season and yesterday he struck either side of the break while, his goals sandwiched an effort by Madamombe two minutes before the break.

Khumbula scored a brace during the Bob 89 final against Highlanders at Rufaro, while for Madamombe, this was his first goal for Dynamos since crossing the floor from Monomotapa.

With a little bit of luck Khumbula could have grabbed a memorable hat-trick but referee Luke Kunatsa correctly ruled the attempt off-side in the second half.

What made Dynamos’ victory sweeter was Harare City who had been second before the weekend’s matches also fell heavily in Hwange where they were hammered 4-1.

Khumbula who struck in the 17th and 61st minutes had reason to walk tall after putting on one of his most inspired performances for the Glamour Boys and revealed he had now set his sights on taking his league tally to double figures by season end.

“After coming from a defeat, this was a positive result for us. It was a good game for us. Of course I was unfortunate not to grab a hat-trick.

“Now Dynamos are back in top form after the defeat and we are looking for more wins to come. I hope we will continue to play our best and I think more than 15 goals will be coming my way, including braces,” said Khumbula.

Khumbula gave Dynamos the advantage when he finished a fine attacking move that had been started by Madamombe in their half.

Madamombe gained possession and in a good passing move, the midfielder fed Ocean Mushure wide on the left and the wingback beat his marker before spotting Khumbula who had run into the box to place the ball beyond How Mine goalkeeper Pedzisai Gumiremhete.

There was little that Gumiremhete could have done although he should take some flak for letting in Madamombe’s goal from the right as it had eluded everyone in the box before nestling into the far corner.

Even Madamombe himself could have been surprised with the gift-wrapped goal before Khumbula sealed the Dynamos win in the 61st minute. Hardworking midfielder Tawanda Muparati intercepted a ball from Warren Dube near the centre line before he sent a fine splitting pass that found Mushure on the left.

How Mine defender Gilbert Banda failed to thwart the raid and Gumiremhete tried to close in on Mushure who then squared for Khumbula to bury home.

“I rate my first goal as the best of the two goals today because it set us on the way to victory. Usually I do not score such types of goals but fortunately I managed to beat the goalkeeper,” said Khumbula.

Dynamos once again missed defensive rock Partson Jaure (broken shin), Pakamisa (hamstring), Cliff Sekete, Artwell Mukandi (knees) and long term casualties Byron Madzokere and Francisco Zekumbawira.

Zekumbawira however, got a run in the reserve side.

Pasuwa also appealed to their fans to be patient with some of the players so that they gel into the system.

“It’s good that Russy has scored and we are saying to the fans, give him time and now he is proving to be one of the stars at Dynamos. Overally I think the guys played well but we have to correctthe way we deal with the set pieces that we get,” said Pasuwa.

How Mine coach Philani Mabhena said they had came to the capital braced for a tough fight, especially against a wounded Dynamos.

“We knew it was going to difficult to play against the champions who are coming from a defeat. It was tough because we were playing away from home. But I think we gave a good account of ourselves. Their first goal was a fantastic piece of art and I think in the second one, we gave away a soft goal.

“For the third goal we lost possession during a moment of attack and we were punished for that,” said Mabhena.

How Mine had few chances at goal especially in the second half with the best falling to Thandazani Ndlovu following an attacking throw-in by Khumbulani Banda but Dynamos cleared from the box.

“Naturally, I think we were not biting enough upfront and we really need to work hard in terms of striking power. We have to find solutions upfront and I would not blame my defence totally for the kind of goals we conceded.

“During the game we also had opportunities where if we had played aggressively upfront, we could have got goals,” said Mabhena.

But Mabhena has promised “hell for Dynamos’’ in the return in Bulawayo in a fortnight.

“We will rectify the mistakes at home and we have two weeks to prepare for the game. Playing the champions is always tight but we will make sure we maximise on home advantage,” said Mabhena. The Herald

Teams:

Dynamos: G. Chigova, T. Magorimbo ( B. Ziruntusa 68th min), O. Mushure, D. Chafa (S. Alimenda 85th min), A. Mbara, G. Bello, T. Muparati, M. Kadzola, P. Kambula, C. Kawinga (A. Tavarwisa 62nd min), R. Madamombe

How Mine: P. Gumiremhete, B. Dube, K. Banda, G. Banda, H. Dick, O. Mpofu (S. Sithole 46th min), M. Mupera, T. Masuku (E. Nkulungo 68th min), T. Ndlovu (T. January 46th min) W. Dube, N. Mpala