Dynamos . . . . . . . . . 0 Caps United . . . . (0) 1
The celebration at the end said it all. It had been a long wait, seven years of agony to be precise, but yesterday, finally and sweetly for the legion of the Green Machine fans Caps United beat Dynamos.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
It meant a lot to them. Long after the final whistle, the celebrations went on at the bay housing the Caps fans. On the pitch, hugs, handshakes and high fives by those in green and, of course, a dejected blue army.
It was such an unusual celebration so much that even the Dynamos fans waited and watched in their thousands even though the outcome was not in their favour.
Long after the final piece of debris has been cleared at Rufaro Stadium this week, this match will still be the talking point.
For Dynamos, the question that begs for answers this morning is: Will the executive stay true to their word and axe the whole coaching set-up led by Paulo Jorge Silva?
They were given an ultimatum to win three straight matches against Mutare City, which he did, Caps and Hwange.
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From yesterday’s performance, they probably deserve another shot because Dynamos were not totally outplayed. In fact, at times, they looked the more likely side to win it.
Dominic Chungwa emerged the hero, with a decisive goal in the second half before a heaving Rufaro.
After an absorbing first half, Chungwa pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area before bundling the ball into the net on 71 minutes, sending the Caps United faithful into a frenzy.
Caps United had not beaten Dynamos in a league match since 2009 and had gone into the match seeking to break that long-standing jinx.
The big match attracted a huge crowd which also included Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo — a staunch Dynamos supporter.
Both teams had equal opportunities in the first half, but it was Dynamos who missed clear opportunities, with Kudzai Nyakasaka failing to do justice after he was set up by Rodreck Mutuma after three minutes.
Caps United winger Phineas Bhamusi also had an opportunity a minute later but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo.
Dynamos midfielder Bret Amidu also watched in disappointment with his speculative shot going just wide after 15 minutes.
On the 33rd minute mark, Mutuma weaved his way past Caps United defenders, set up Nyakasaka, but Caps United keeper Jorum Muchambo was quick to block the effort.
And Dynamos found themselves trailing after Chungwa bundled the ball home in a goal mouth melee in the 71st minute. In response, Silva hauled off Mutuma and threw in Dynamos returnee Evans Gwekwerere, but Caps United frustrated them with some stoic defending.
Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe, seeking to hold onto their slender lead, scribbled a piece of paper with an instruction to the goalkeeper to run down the clock.
Left-back Ronald Pfumbidzai was given the note to hand over to Muchambo with the message: “Time wasting. Buy as much time as you can.”
But Dynamos fans, sensing that there was deliberate time wasting by Muchambo, threw missiles at him, forcing a brief stoppage of the match by referee Munyaradzi Majoni.
As tension built up in the stands towards the end of the match, Silva was sent to the stands by the referee for remonstrating with the fourth official.
Chitembwe was pleased with the victory. He said quality made the difference.
“I think it was quality that made the difference,” Chitembwe said. “When we introduced Archieford Gutu, he brought in a different dimension and Simba Nhivi also brought another dimension. This is a big victory for us. It builds confidence and if we continue to play like this, we will do well. We are happy with Mwanjali’s contribution. Given what has happened before, he showed his mental strength.”
Silva congratulated Caps United for the victory, but said his side played well in the first half and slackened in the second.
He claimed he was not aware of the set target by the club leadership and said he would continue to discharge his duties despite having missed the target.
“We played well in the first half. We had good chances, but in the second half, Caps United had better chances and scored,” he said.
“Congratulations to them (Caps United) for the win. It was a good game by the two teams. For me I will continue to go to work on Monday (today). I don’t know about the ultimatum.”
Teams: Dynamos T Mukuruva, O Mushure, E Muroiwa, S Linyama, O Mwerahari, S Alimenda, B Amidu, V Ndaba, G Murwira, (M Mambare 45), K Nyakasaka (A Mukandi 62), R Mutuma (E Gwekwerere 72nd
Caps United J Muchambo, H Zvirekwi, R Pfumbidzai, J Jangano, S Makatuka, M Mwanjale, M Muchenje (A Gutu 63), P Bhamusi (K Nyamupfukudza 78), J Ngodzo, L Tsipa (S Nhivi 48), D Chungwa
