By Eddie Chikamhi
Dynamos …….(0) 1
Chicken Inn…(0) 1
For the second time inside four days, champions Dynamos yesterday failed to find a winning touch and gain ground on the log standings as Chicken Inn became the latest team to derail their Castle Lager Premiership title aspirations.
After Black Rhinos bravely held them 1-1 at Rimuka on Sunday, the Harare giants returned to Gwanzura for the first time in nearly two years, but there was no immediate change in their fortunes with their attack remaining their Achilles heel.
Rhinos had appeared to do them a big favour by upstaging Highlanders, while Chiredzi held second-placed ZPC Kariba, but Dynamos could only manage a draw at Chicken Inn and it was a case of “as you were” on the log standings.
Highlanders, ZPC Kariba and Dynamos are now tied on 32 points with Bosso still at the apex thanks to a superior goal difference and debutants ZPC second ahead of the Glamour Boys for the same reason.
DeMbare’s bitter rivals CAPS United – in fourth place with 30 points – could now take over pole position should they beat Hwange at the Colliery this afternoon
Yet at Gwanzura Chicken Inn defender Brian Mbiriri scored what could be in line for the goal of the season award to help his side claw back into the game and claim a share of the spoils.
Mbiriri denied the Glamour Boys the chance to climb to the top of the table when he volleyed home a rocket from a distance as DeMbare tried to clear their lines from a corner in the 61st minute.
Earlier on, Roderick Mutuma had converted from the penalty spot to put the hosts in the driving seat soon after the restart.
But the Gamecocks displayed an undying fighting spirit and deservedly went home with a point after dominating the exchanges, especially in the second half.
Veteran midfielder Clement Matawu was instrumental in the engine room where he combined brilliantly with Bekhimpilo Ncube, Toto Banda and Brian Juru to dwarf the Dynamos midfield which sorely missed injured Stephen Alimenda.
The highlight of the day, though, was the strike by Mbiriri, which came when no one expected it midway through the second half as Dynamos were already slowing down the pace of the game in anticipation of a narrow win.
The Chicken Inn man, who had ominously come close when he forced a good save from Artwell Mukandi in the third minute with a ferocious free-kick, this time was perfectly positioned and unmarked when the ball fell graciously in his path, way outside the box.
His response was quick and electric as he connected first time a zooming shot that could have troubled even the best goalkeeper in the world into the top corner.
However, the Gamecocks, who had lost four straight matches, had little comfort despite picking their first point since June 28 when they ironically held the Glamour Boys to a goalless draw in Bulawayo.
Antipas has been battling to contain the pressure and their woes were not made any better following wins by Triangle, Chapungu and Black Rhinos.
The Gamecocks dropped three places and are now in the relegation zone with 21 points, 11 adrift of leaders Highlanders.
The former Motor Action gaffer was nonetheless encouraged by the team’s performance.
“I would say we had a good game, we had lot of shots on target but the goalkeeper did well. The boys put up a good fighting spirit and I just hope we can continue this way in our coming games. I should say this is a welcome point after four defeats in a row,” said Antipas.
The Gamecocks were the first to test their opponents with their dead ball specialist Mbiriri but his threatening free-kick found goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi alert three minutes into the game.
Then Dynamos midfielder Ronald Chitiyo gave the visitors’ youthful goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze a wake-up call in the 15th minute when he unleashed a pile-driver which was tipped over the bar for a corner kick.
Injuries and suspension forced DeMbare coach Callisto Pasuwa to chop and change his side yesterday. The team looked different without Alimenda in midfield, left-back Ocean Mushure and Blessing Moyo, who was suspended for the match.
Congolese forward Fabrice Mbimba was given his first starting place, while Oscar Machapa came in for Moyo after a long lay-off.
Mbimba, who needs more refining, did not disappoint as he was involved in most of the DeMbare moves and his skill immediately won him many hearts among the Dynamos faithful.
Pasuwa was unhappy with his team’s performance as they now brace for the big match against Highlanders at Barbourfields this Saturday.
TEAMS
Dynamos: A. Mukandi, T. Magorimbo, O. Machapa, A. Mbara, T. Ndlovu, D. Chafa (T. Mabvura, 67th minute), R. Chitiyo, S. Sithole, T. Rusike (R. Madamombe, 72nd minute), F. Mbimba (F. Mupasiri, 82nd minute), R. Mutuma
Chicken Inn: E. Chipeze, P. Bernard, B. Mbiriri (D. Lunga, 85th minute), M. Jackson, L. Mhlanga, B. Juru, T. Banda (F. Bushiri, 81st minute), C. Matawu, B. Ncube, I. Lawe (R. Zhuwawo, 70th minute), M. Dube. The Herald
