DYNAMOS fans blocked the main entrance to Rufaro Stadium yesterday baying for their team coach David Mandigora’s head before the police intervened to disperse the angry mob after a goalless Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match draw against a spirited Hwange.
BY HENRY MHARA
DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . .0 HWANGE . . . . . . . . . .0
And for returning striker, Roderick Mutuma, the homecoming match was one to quickly forget as he saw his side drop to fourth on the log standings.
With How Mine beating Buffaloes 1-0 at Luveve yesterday to move to 29 points, the defending champions are now in fourth place with 28.
The lanky striker, who was thrust in the first 11, just two days after re-joining from rivals Caps United, had a good game throughout, but his efforts were not complimented by his teammates.
In his post-match comments, Mutuma said the draw was not good enough for Dynamos.
“I’m disappointed that we failed to score. We should have won this match playing at home. We failed as a team and we should rise as a team. I have always been blue at heart. I am happy to be back home. Unfortunately we couldn’t win today,” he said.
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Hwange coach Nation Dube said his team would survive relegation.
“People should not think we will be relegated because from our performance today, there is hope,” he said.
“We need maximum points in the next matches to get away from where we are at the moment. We just have to work on our finishing because we are getting the chances, but failing to bury them.”
Following their 1-1 draw in Hwange last week in the reverse fixture, it was the visitors who looked more hungrier for the three points this time around with some purposeful football against their jittery opponents who missed their talisman Ronald Chitiyo through injury.
The home side should have been at least two-nil up in the opening 10 minutes though when Mutuma escaped on the left on eight minutes before crossing the ball which needed the slightest of touches, but his partners upfront, Dominic Chungwa and new boy Richard Kawondera, somehow missed an easy tap-in.
Two minutes later, it was the turn of Mutuma to miss a headed effort with Qadr Amini providing the cross.
Hwange, despite controlling possession, was failing to create meaningful chances.
But that soon changed when they were awarded a freekick inside the penalty arc on the quarter hour, but Innocent Mucheneka wasted the good opportunity.
Dynamos had goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva to thank on 34th minute when a Hwange counter initiated by Farai Vimisai ended with Rodwell Chinyengetere clear on goal, but the young goalie showed great agility to punch the ball away.
Hwange were clearly on top of the situation and Mandigora’s reaction was to pull out Blessing Moyo for Walter Mukanga on the 44th minute.
On the balance of play, Hwange deserved to go to the break leading.
That pattern followed at the start of the second half, but just like in the first stanza, they were forced to make some pot shots at goal.
They were almost punished at the other end when Chungwa managed to shoot at goal, but goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya was equal to the task.
Dynamos had a shout for a penalty on 67th minute when Kawondera was fouled inside the box, but referee Thabani Bamala waved play on.
Mukuruva then brilliantly denied Chinyengetere from a free header on 69th minute.
The Warriors goalie was to be beaten by David Boriwondo’s bicycle kick five minutes later, but the upright was at hand to save the day for the hosts.
Kawondera could have become the hero for the champions on his debut, but missed a sitter on 79th minute, dragging his effort wide after being freed by Mukanga.
That proved to be the last meaningful chance by both sides with a draw perhaps a fair result.
Teams
Dynamos: T Mukuruva, B Moyo (W Mukanga, 44′), O Mushure, A Mbara, S Linyama, O Mwerahari, G Murwira, Q Amini, R Kawondera, R Mutuma, D Chungwa (K Bulaji, 65).
Hwange: T Mawaya, A Chuma, D Boriwondo, G Ndlovu, M Mungadze, C Muleya, I Mucheneka, F Vimisai, P Mphelele, R Chinyengetere, G Zulu.
