DONGO SAWMILL . . . . . . (1) 1 DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1)
DEFENDING champions Dynamos rekindled hopes of retaining the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title after beating relegated Dongo Sawmill at Vengere Stadium yesterday, on a day their rivals dropped crucial points.
BY HENRY MHARA
Kelvin Bulaji, given a rare start, repaid the faith with a headed goal for the visitors after 27 minutes.
Elliot Mingiri levelled matters for Dongo with a header in the 40th minute, but Takesure Chinyama ensured maximum points for Dynamos with a firm shot from inside the box two minutes after the break.
The win saw Tonderai Ndiraya’s side trimming the gap from leaders Chicken Inn and FC Platinum to four and two points, respectively, with two matches to go before the season ends. Ndiraya said there was still a glimmer of hope, although he bemoaned opportunities squandered in recent matches, particularly against Harare City and Flame Lily where his side drew.
“I’m happy we have collected maximum points,” Ndiraya said.
“Like I said before, it’s still in Chicken Inn and FC Platinum’s hands, but we will continue pushing until the end and see what happens. We want to finish on a high, do our job without worrying much about events elsewhere.”
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Dongo coach, Shadreck Mugurasave, whose side has been relegated, was disappointed his players had missed a lot of chances.
“We created better chances, but we couldn’t score and we were punished. It has been the story of our season. Unfortunately, we got relegated.”
The home side showed very little respect for their more illustrious opponents early on, threatening from set pieces. However, it was the league champions, missing the injured Roderick Mutuma, who put their noses in front when Bulaji ghosted in from the right, to head home from a Ronald Chitiyo cross in Dynamos’ first attempt at goal.
Dongo searched for an equaliser and it almost came in the 39th minute, but Maningi’s shot from a good range was blocked by Dynamos goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga, who also got a rare start.
The former ZPC Kariba goalkeeper, who got injured and was substituted in the second half, was beaten a minute later, but defender Elisha Muroiwa cleared the ball off the line. Dongo’s perseverance finally paid off with a deserved equaliser, Mingiri rising high to head past Mateyaunga from a free kick.
On reflection, the goalkeeper would know he should have done better. Dynamos regained the lead two minutes into the second half when Chinyama blasted in, Chitiyo again providing the assist with the hosts’ defence guilty of ball-watching.
The visitors were on the ascendancy and Chitiyo could have made it three in the 51st minute when he was sent clear by Carlos Rusere, but the pint-sized midfielder shot wide.
Godknows Murwira then rattled the woodwork with a long-range effort from a free kick 10 minutes later for Dynamos.
Line-ups: Dongo: F Samunyayi, T Mapungwana, S Kateguru (K Katandika, 65’), E Chikwaikwai, M Tapatapa, K Mangondo (N Tigere, 65’), P Madhazi, C Dhuwa, E Stephin, B Dzumbunu, E Mingiri. Dynamos: T Mateyaunga (T Mukuruva, 78’), A Mbara, G Murwira, O Mushure, E Muroiwa, C Rusere, W Mukanga, R Chitiyo, K Bulaji (B Moyo, 80’), R Kawondera
