Monomotapa . . . . . (1) 1 Dynamos . . . . . . . . (0) 2 DYNAMOS put one hand on the title after overcoming a halftime deficit to beat Monomotapa in an exciting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro Stadium Sunday.
Report By Henry Mhara
Tawanda Nyamandwe had put Monomotapa in front at halftime.
But on-fire striker Simba Sithole put Dynamos level 10 minutes after the break, before substitute Rodreck Mutuma’s strike from close range meant Dynamos remain firm favourites for the title.
The defending champions are on 65 points, two above rivals Highlanders, who beat Hardbody 2-0 at Ascot Stadium Sunday.
Dynamos need four points from their remaining two matches against Buffaloes at home and Hardbody away to retain the title. Highlanders, on the other hand, host FC Platinum next Wednesday before finishing off the season at Gwanzura against Blue Rangers.
Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa played down his team’s chances.
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“It’s still game on. Football is a very unpredictable game. Maybe we can be beaten in our last two matches, so we should keep focusing. It’s not done yet,” said Pasuwa.
Defeat left Monoz in fourth place with 47 points and their hopes of Champions League qualification fading after Chicken Inn moved into third with a 3-0 demolition of Quelaton.
Monoz assistant coach Nkululeko Dlamini said: “In the first half, we had much of possession. We played the ball around very well, but in the second half you could see the opposition was more determined, they had the ball and there was a lot of movement in the midfield.”
The home side forced Dynamos goalkeeper George Chigova into action on a number of occasions earlier on.
On 32 minutes, the big goalie went down to keep Russel Madamombe’s swerving shot on the post.
At this point, Monoz were completely dominating possession and had what looked like a genuine call for a penalty turned down by referee Ruzive Ruzive after defender Gift Bello had blocked a goal-bound shot using his arm.
In a half where Dynamos were beaten in all areas of the field and just relying on counter attacks, Nyamandwe benefited from a rebound to tap in after Chigova had made yet another desperate save.
In the build-up to the goal, right-back Thomas Magorimbo had casually left his marker to run through at the by-line thinking the ball had gone out and from the resultant cross, Dynamos were punished.
Monoz finished the half virtually unplayable with Ronald Chitiyo’s prodigious work in midfield marvellous while Madamombe was stellar on the wing.
After a raft of changes at the start of the second half, Dynamos were now seeing much of the ball and it was no surprise when Sithole netted his third goal in as many matches just after the hour mark with a curling shot after being set free by Tawanda Mupasiri.
Sithole hit the cross bar with a header moments later as Dynamos pressed for goal.
The former Caps United forward was to be denied by a brilliant save from Monoz goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi in a one-on-one situation.
At the other end, Madamombe’s goal-bound shot hit Mamvura’s head and went out and from the resultant kick, Osbourne Mukuradare headed wide. Chitiyo’s curler missed the target by a few inches moments later.
With 15 minutes remaining, Ocean Mushure made a run on the wing and his cross eluded the entire Monoz defence to find Mutuma, who was lurking on the blind side for an easy tap-in.
Both teams created chances thereafter. Madamombe shot wide from inside the box before Sithole shot over after exchanging passes with Mutuma in the box.
