Stubborn Tsholotsho hold DeMbare

Tsholotsho 1-1 Dynamos

BULAWAYO – Champions Dynamos dropped two crucial points against Tsholotsho yesterday in a dramatic turn of events at Barbourfields when Steven Alimenda beat his own goalkeeper in the 90th minute to equalise for their opponents in a Castle Lager Premier League soccer match.

A 10-man Dynamos appeared set for victory with just a few minutes to go in a match of two halves that saw them dominating the first half while Tsholostho had the upper hand for most of the second period.

DeMbare finished the game with 10 men after Ocean Mushure was sent for an early shower in the 81st minute for a second bookable offence. The referee felt the Dynamos defender was wasting time when he was preparing to take a corner, resulting in his expulsion.

The champions took the lead just 11 minutes into the game through Takesure Chinyama when he beat Tsholotsho goalkeeper to score from close-range.

Earlier on in the seventh minute, Sydney Linyama’s effort had been disallowed but DeMbare were quick to regroup and Chinyama was on target for his side.

However, Tsholotsho proved to be stubborn as they fought until the final whistle and their efforts paid off when Alimenda beat his own goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva in the final minute of the game to give away a point to Tsholotsho.

The two teams drew 0-0 in the reverse fixture and yesterday they had to share the spoils again.

In a weekend that saw log leaders Chicken Inn losing 0-1 to Hwange while Triangle settled for a 1-1 draw against How Mine in the curtain-raiser to yesterday’s match at Barbourfields, a win would have seen Dynamos moving up to second position and closing the gap on leaders Chicken Inn.

However, the point saw the reigning champions remaining in third position with 36 points, the same as second-placed Triangle, who are on top because of a superior goal difference.

Speaking after the match, Dynamos coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, said they had dropped “two massive points” as the championship race heats up.

“It’s massive two points dropped. Remember we drew again with the same team at home which is very unfortunate. But this is football, we have to soldier on, we have to fight very hard.

“It’s not an easy championship, we have to keep our heads high and fight for every point but I am happy for the boys they did their best. I am telling you these guys are tired. Playing five games in two weeks is a little bit too much for them,” said Ndiraya.

Yesterday’s game was Dynamos’ second on the road, having travelled to Chiredzi for a midweek match against Triangle in which they won 2-0. And Ndiraya said fatigue was catching up with his charges.

“But coming onto the game I thought we had so many games. We played about five games in two weeks which is a little bit too much for the boys. And I think you could see the way they were playing, they were a little bit slow in everything they were doing. I thought fatigue was catching up with them,” Ndiraya said.

The Dynamos coach was, however, not happy with the way the referee handled yesterday’s match that saw Dynamos getting five yellow cards.

His counterpart, Lizwe Sweswe, said the point picked up yesterday was important for them as they fight for survival.

“We played very beautiful football. We should have won this game because in terms of possession we dominated.

“We are trying to collect points so that we survive so in each and every game we play, if we collect a point or three, it’s okay for us,” Sweswe said. The Chronicle