IT’S almost a lost cause. At the final whistle, some Dynamos players loitered languidly near the centre circle before trudging off the field, shoulders slumped.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1 CAPS UNITED . . . . . . . . . .(0) 1
It’s getting clearer now, that for the first time in five years, there won’t be the illuminating blue and white at the podium, when the champions will be crowned.
The Glamour Boys desperately needed to win against their bitter rivals, Caps United, at Rufaro Stadium yesterday to rescue a campaign that appears to have gone off the rails.
But they stumbled against their bitter rivals, who dominated the first half, a result which kept them six points off the top, with three matches left in the campaign.
They were dominated by Caps United, who showed great ambition in the entire first half and could have killed off the game, but wasted chances.
Caps United winger, Phineas Bhamusi, sent in a dangerous low-cross intended for Leonard Tsipa in the penalty in the 19th minute and, Dynamos fullback, Ocean Mushure ghosted in from behind to put the ball out of danger.
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Dynamos fans exhaled.
They had gone into the match unbeaten by Caps United in a league match since 2009. They also had a good chance in the first half when Ronald Chitiyo directed his effort wide.
In the second half, Dynamos came back showing verve and in the 54th minute, Walter Mukanga’s effort drew a fine save from goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo.
As the goals seemed elusive, Lloyd Chitembwe made changes in the 57th minute, bringing out Joel Ngodzo for Dominic Chungwa.
Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya responded by hauling off Roderick Mutuma for Takesure Chinyama in the 61st minute, while Kelvin Bulaji came in for Carlos Rusere two minutes later. The substitutions paid off for Ndiraya, as Chinyama immediately made an impact and had the ball in the back of the net in the 75th minute, after getting to the end of a wonderful delivery from the left by Chitiyo, sending Dynamos fans into delirium.
But Caps United refused to be cowed.
Carlton Munzabwa sent in a long ball into the danger zone and Tsipa planted a firm header into the net for the equaliser in the 80th minute. The northern stand, housing predominantly Caps United fans, was rocking.
Thereafter, Dynamos were in control, with Mupasiri and Chitiyo coming close. The two teams could, however, not be separated. Chitembwe praised his charges afterwards.
“I thought we dominated in the first half. They also had their moments, but I was impressed by the character shown by the players. We were 1-0 down, but the response was superb. We now have to go and improve. The EasyCall Cup is one tournament we are looking at now,” he said.
Ndiraya said the result was fair.
“I thought we controlled the first half, but could not get maximum points. We conceded a soft goal because of poor marking, but I think it was a fair result. We have to keep fighting to the end. It’s game on. We need to post good results. We will also try and win the EasyCall Cup,” he said.
