Ngezi Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League giants, Dynamos were left frustrated after they were held to a goalless draw by league newcomers Ngezi Platinum in a match played at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
BY HENRY MHARA
DeMbare were looking to build on a good display last week, where they accounted for Harare City, but the green shoots to their season were plucked off in Mhondoro-Ngezi.
The result left the Lloyd Mutasa-coached side sitting fifth on the log with 32 points, 11 behind leaders FC Platinum going into the last nine matches of the season.
Mutasa admitted in his post-match comments that his team had fallen too far behind in the title race.
For the home side, who are coached by Tonderai Ndiraya, a draw signalled a step in the right direction in their bid to escape the drop.
Ngezi remained on 12th position with 27 points, having lost two matches preceding the Dynamos clash.
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“We really wanted the three points and we had some good chances, but we failed to convert. You don’t get points if you can’t score,” Mutasa said. “We had told ourselves that we wanted to be the best in the remaining matches so this (result) is a big dent on our ambitions.”
Ndiraya, who was facing his former side for the first time since their acrimonious divorce last year, was pleased with the point.
“Before the game, I told the players to play not to lose and that is exactly what we did. It’s not pleasing to drop two points at home but this is Dynamos we were playing, the biggest club in the country so to get a point against them, I think its ok,” he said.
Ndiraya named four former Dynamos stars in his starting line-up with Patson Jaure, Zivanai Mhanda, Walter Mukanga and Washington Pakamisa all starting for Ngezi, while Tichaona Mabvura was introduced from the bench.
Mutasa on the other hand, made two changes to the team that beat Harare City last week.
Carlos Rusere started at left back in place of the suspended Ocean Mushure, while Takudzwa Sadiki was preferred ahead of Mussa Madhiri.
The match, as expected, started with a high intensity and referee Ruzive Ruzive dipped into his pocket to produce a yellow card as early as the second minute when he cautioned Wisdom Mutasa for dissent.
The striker reacted angrily to Ruzive’s decision to wave play on after he had been appended by Jaure.
It was the home side who had the first real chance to snatch an early lead when James Ngulube took advantage of the miscommunication between defender Obey Mwerahari and goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva but the striker, who has scored four goals this term, couldn’t increase his goal tally shooting over the bar.
Ndiraya’s side were clearly on top but couldn’t make the dominance count.
The closest that they came to scoring was when Talent Chamboko hit the cross bar on 32nd minute.
It appeared the near miss jolted the away side to start venturing forward.
Masimba Mambare nearly benefited from a confusion inside the Ngezi box, but his snap shot couldn’t trouble keeper Chris Mverechena.
Dynamos continued to create half chances, with Sadiki’s header tipped over by the former Caps United keeper.
Sadiki also had his shot blocked by Mhanda moments later as Dynamos finished the first half the stronger side.
Ngezi started the second half, as they had done in the first, enjoying a lion’s share of possession but appeared to run out of ideas every time they were in the final third.
Ngulube, whose speed was troubling the Dynamos defence, found space on the left side early in the half, but shot straight at Mukuruva.
The Warriors number one then kept his side in the game with a superb save, denying Liberty Chakoroma’s headed effort.
Mukamba, who had a better performance in the second half with some brilliant touches and winning free kicks in promising positions, dragged his shot wide on the hour mark after beating two defenders.
Dynamos again clawed back into the match as it progressed and they were presented with a good opportunity to score when Mukamba was fouled just outside the penalty arc but Wisdom wasted the chance.
No clear cut chances were created by both teams thereafter and a goalless draw was perhaps a true reflection of their overall perfomance.
Teams Ngezi Platinum: C Mverechena, P Jaure, K Machona, T Chamboko, Z Mhanda, L Chakoroma, J Marufu, E Tapera, W Mukanga (D Teguru, 84′), W Pakamisa (E Katema, 77′), J Ngulube (T Mabvura, 91′).
Dynamos: T Mukuruva, G Murwira, O Mwerahari, M Machazane, C Rusere, T Sadiki, S Alimenda, T Chipunza (D Mukandi, 70′), M Mambare (S Gorogodyo, 87′) , D Mukamba (B Amidu, 85′), W Mutasa.
