DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2 HARARE CITY. . . . . . . (0) 1
DENVER Mukamba scored a brilliant goal and Ocean Mushure converted from the spot as Dynamos beat Moses Chunga’s Harare City in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
BY HENRY MHARA
Dynamos ended six-match winless streak easing pressure on coach Lloyd Mutasa.
The former Soccer Star of the Year, left out of the squad last week for alleged indiscipline, put Dynamos in front when he cut inside City defender Arnold Chivheya and curled into the far corner with his left foot on 57th minute.
Mushure then scored the winner for Dynamos on 81st minute after Jerry Chipangura had cancelled out Mukamba’s goal on 72 minutes.
The result took Mutasa’s side back on fourth position with 31 points, 11 behind leaders FC Platinum. Mutasa admitted he and the players have been feeling the strain, but now believe they can put the difficult period behind them.
“I told the players (at halftime) that this should be the turning point. Coming from six matches without a win, this is a great result,” Mutasa said. “The Dynamos zeal and determination to win was there. The youngsters had to dig deep and I liked the way they fought until the last minute. It would be good for us if we could get another win in the next match and then we can build from there. I really appreciate the support from the fans, they have been patient and I’m sure they will remain calm as we go forward,” he added.
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With the defeat, City are on 10th position with 26 points. Pressure continues to mount on coach Chunga with reports suggesting that he could be fired anytime.
In his post-match comments, Chunga said he wasn’t worried much on the result.
“We are working on the development side of the team that’s why I’m introducing more youngsters. We are looking beyond 2016. We played okay, but the scoring had been our problem, but we are working on it.”
Mutasa made three changes to the team that drew to Bulawayo City. Mukuruva, Mukamba and Gorogodyo were recalled into the lineup, while Alimenda could only make the bench. Tonderai Mateyaunga, King Nasama and Kudzanai Nyakasaka made way, while bad boy Rodrick Mutuma failed to make it into the squad for the second week running.
It was City who started well, playing with freedom early on, but a skewed shot by former Dynamos midfielder Ronald Chitiyo which went wide is all they had to show for their early dominance.
Dynamos were disjointed, with no clear structure. Wisdom Mutasa, normally a holding midfielder, was playing in a more advanced position alongside Mukamba.
The home side’s first real chance arrived after 37 minutes when Wisdom was put through by Masimba Mambare who shot tamely at goal.
City were forced into a first half change when Takudzwa Chimwemwe was stretchered off with a head injury on 43 minutes and was replaced by Tendai Samanja.
City continued to frustrate their more fancied opponents with some shot passing and Mushure was lucky not to be sent off for a two footed lunge on Martin Vengesai on 44th minute. The left back escaped with only a yellow card.
Dynamos were struggling, overpowered in midfield by a fluent City, but they almost took an unlikely lead into the break as they had two great opportunities in first half optional time.
Wisdom found himself clear on goal again, but was hesitant to take a shot and defenders recovered to clear. Moments later, the ball fell on Simba Gorogodyo inside the box who fired high and wide.
Mutasa then made a halftime substitution, introducing Alimenda for Mussa Madhiri as he tried to add numbers in midfield as well as some steel.
The change appeared to gulvanise the home side and they were the first to threaten in the second stanza.
Gorogodyo picked Chipunza with a good cross, but the midfielder scooped his effort wide before Mukamba and Mambare both shot over from a good range.
Gorogodyo then danced himself into the box, but his shot from his weaker right foot couldn’t trouble City keeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu.
Mukamba then produced his magic when he collected a pass wide and cut through leaving Chivheya on his wake before curling with his left footer into the far corner.
His performance, though not very spectacular, but showed glimpses of the Mukamba who won the Soccer Star of the Year in 2012 before his unsuccessful stint down South.
Mutasa almost made it two instantly as Dynamos threatened to run with it when he got to an end of a Gorogodyo pass but couldn’t keep his lobbed effort under the bar with the keeper beaten.
But against the run of plays City were level. A miscued clearance by Alimenda set up Sibanda who shrugged off Mukuruva’s challenge to bundle the ball over the line.
The goal brought with it a sense of anxiety within the Dynamos supporters who must have thought this was yet another bad day for their side.
However, that nervousness soon vanished when match day referee Norman Matemera pointed to the spot after Chivheya had cluttered into substitute Amidu from behind.
Mushure sent Nyamupangedengu to the wrong side.
City pressed forward late on for an equaliser with Martin Vengesai, Chitiyo and Farai Madhananga all trying their luck but Dynamos held on for their first win in six matches.
Line-ups Dynamos: T Mukuruva, G Murwira, M Machazane, O Mushure, O Mwerahari, T Chipunza, S Gorogodyo (T Sadiki, 65′), W Mutasa (Amidu, 75′), M Mambare, D Mukamba, M Madhiri (S Alimenda, 46′)
Harare City: M Nyamupangedengu, A Chivheya, T Chimwemwe (T Samanja, 43′), M Tigere, R Chitiyo, L Muyambo, E Madhanhanga, H Chapusha, H Chimutimunzeve (R Manuvire, 64′), M Vengesai, J Chipangura
