Yogi misses target for DeMbare
By Ishemunyoro Chingwere
ZPC Kariba……………. (1)1
Dynamos ………………(0)1
TROUBLED Dynamos coach David “Yogi” Mandigora insisted the defending champions would soon find a winning formula after he watched his side labour to a third consecutive draw at Nyamhunga Stadium against ZPC Kariba yesterday.
As Mandigora put on a brave face, the home side’s caretaker coach, Oliver Matava, was castigating his players for failing to put the champions to the sword.
“I am very disappointed by this result,” he said. “We missed too many chances. This is a match we could have won 6-1 had we buried the chances we created.”
Farai Mupasiri was the hero for DeMbare as he headed home an 85th minute corner to cancel out Tsepo Rantokoane’s 34th minute strike.
The result leaves Dynamos six points behind Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders Chicken Inn, who beat Chapungu 2-1 at Ascot yesterday.
The draw also means Mandigora can longer meet the mid-season 30-point target given to him by the Glamour Boys’ executive when the campaign began.
Even if Dynamos win their next two matches they can only reach 29 points.
Mandigora yesterday said: “It is good that we fought back again and salvaged a point but the draws are now too many. Three in a row is not what we would have wanted. It is now impossible to get the 30 points at mid-season but we have to continue working hard on our weaknesses.”
However, unlike in previous weeks, Mandigora was cheered and not jeered by the DeMbare faithful.
The Dynamos mentor will also be breathing much easier now as his touted successor Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa is inching closer towards a deal to replace Saul Chaminuka at ZPC Kariba.
Chidzambwa watched yesterday’s match in the company of ZPC Kariba chair, Munyaradzi Nduna, but the veteran coach poured cold water on speculation linking him to the gaffer’s job.
“I am just here to watch football,” said Chidzambwa.
On the park, it was a see-saw affair in the early stages as both teams showed real hunger.
It was the hosts who surged ahead through the boot of winger Rantokoane, who connected well with a perfectly weighted cross from Artwell Nyamiwa, sending the home fans into delirium.
Yet it was DeMbare who could have grabbed the opener in the 15th minute but Mupasiri had his effort cleared off the line by an alert Tawanda Munyanduri.
Mupasiri was to have the last laugh as he headed home from a corner five minutes from full time to save the champions’ blushes.
Teams
ZPC Kariba: L Chirava, S Sheshe, D Phiri, S Appiah, D Dauda, T Magorimbo, T Munyanduri, R Manuvire, A Nyamiwa, T Rantokoane (P Makanje, 73 ) , T Nyamandwe (P Tafirenyika, 90)
Dynamos: T Mukuruva, B Moyo (N Gandari, 57), O Mushure, E Muroiwa, A Mbara, M Makopa (P Khumbula, 57), G Murwira, W Mukanga, F Mupasiri, R Chitiyo, K Bulaji (O Machapa, 73) The Sunday Mail
