PREMIER Soccer League champions Dynamos took full advantage of log leaders Highlanders’ draw against FC Platinum to close the gap on the leading pair to five points when beating Hwange at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
Dynamos . . . . . . (1) 2 Hwange . . . . . . . . . . 0
Report by Henry Mhara
Washington Pakamisa’s early goal, his sixth of the season which made him joint top goal scorer with Chicken Inn’s Tendai Ndoro, and substitute Farai Mupasiri’s debatable effort in the second half made sure the hosts collected their second maximum points in a row.
Hwange kicked the ball into touch to allow an injured Dynamos player to be attended to.
But when Boban Bogere received possession from a resulting drop ball by the referee Philani Ncube, and with Hwange players slowing down expecting to be given the ball back, the Ugandan quickly passed the ball to Pakamisa who exchanged passes with Mupasiri to beat Timothy Sibanda in goals for Hwange.
Hwange players were outraged and protested heavily at the referee who nonetheless allowed the goal to stand. Sibanda was cautioned for leading the charge. Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa said the referee’s decision is always final.
“The referee allowed the goal (to stand) and his decision is final. We have to accept it,” said Pasuwa.
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Hwange coach Nation Dube, whose last visit to Harare to face Dynamos was equally unpleasant after he was allegedly manhandled by the hosts’ marshals, was a disappointed man. “The referees’ association should look into things like this. I will take the matter with my executive and see the way forward,” said Dube.
The result moved Dynamos to fourth position on the log standings with 15 points, five behind joint log leaders Highlanders and FC Platinum who cancelled each other with a goalless draw on Saturday.
Dynamos are still two points behind third-placed How Mine, who beat Buffaloes 2-0 at Luveve Stadium and face a tough task against Caps United at the weekend. Highlanders will be at home to How Mine while FC Platinum are away to Monomotapa.
A sweeping move involving Devon Chafa, Thomas Magorimbo and Bogere in the fifth minute released the escaping Tawanda Muparati on the left channel whose cross was side-footed into the nets by Pakamisa.
Farai Vimisai had a chance to equalise for Hwange in the 21st minute, but shot his effort sky-high and wide from inside the box after Chafa’s tame clearance had dropped invitingly in front of the former Dynamos winger.
The next chance fell to Dynamos when Russel Madamombe’s thumping free-kick was deflected wide before Bogere’s firm header kissed the foot of the upright and rolled out. Hwange were seeing plenty of the ball in the early stages of the second half, but their attacking threat was limited to an Isaac Masame 63rd minute speculative shot which went wide.
Their energy would then be soaked out by the contentious Mupasiri goal and the visitors in their shocked state almost conceded another goal minutes later, but Pakamisa reacted slow to a Muparati lobbed pass.
By then, Dynamos had wrestled back possession against their disillusioned opponents.
Abel Gwatidzo, a 78th minute substitute for Dynamos, rattled the bar 10 minutes after he had came in before another substitute Clive Kawinga shot straight at the Hwange keeper deep into injury time after he was sent clear.
