Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
DYNAMOS’ unbeaten run stretched to nine games yesterday, but the Harare giants were left frustrated after a stalemate against ZPC Kariba at Rufaro Stadium saw them lose further ground in the title race.
More concerningly for the Glamour Boys, this was their third consecutive draw.
Following shared spoils against Scottland and FC Platinum, a clash against a Kariba side on a four-match winless streak appeared to be the perfect tonic to return to winning ways.
Instead, it became a lesson in frustration as the visitors’ dogged defending and gamesmanship carried the day.
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Dynamos were quick off the blocks, dominating the ball for vast periods, but they appeared to rush their decisions in the final third. Despite the territorial advantage, ZPC Kariba goalkeeper Future Sibanda remained largely untested in a cagey first half.
The pattern persisted after the restart.
DeMbare finally called Sibanda into action just before the hour mark when Shadreck Nyahwa unleashed a trademark long-range effort that required a fingertip save over the bar.
ZPC Kariba, content to sit back and frustrate, nearly snatched the lead on the counter-attack immediately after Charles Munyanyi broke through the lines, forcing Dynamos shot-stopper Tatenda Makoni into his first real save of the match.
Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe cut a frustrated figure at the final whistle, lamenting his side’s lack of a killer instinct.
“There are some positives to pick from this match,” Mangombe said.
“We played very well, and if you see the way we reached the opponent's box, it was much improved from the previous games. We now have to work on our final third in terms of finishing. We created a lot of chances, and with a bit more hunger, we should have won this game easily.
“This was not a difficult game at all. We controlled possession for the entire 90 minutes. But at the end of the day, what matters most is to hit the back of the net and collect maximum points.”
On the opposite bench, Newman Mashipe was happy to escape the capital with a point, despite acknowledging his side’s own deficiencies in front of goal.
“Our strike force has been an area of concern,” Mashipe said.
“We are pushing the boys to do better, but the most positive thing is that they are going into the good areas. It’s now about execution and working more on shooting. Overall, I'm happy with the point. We came here knowing that Dynamos are unbeaten, and with their crowd behind them, we knew it was going to be a tough match.”
As the clock ticked down, ZPC Kariba employed cynical tactics, with players frequently going down to break the rhythm of the game.
However, they almost stole the result late on when Wayne Kamurai unleashed a thunderbolt that forced Makoni into a desperate save at his near post.
Dynamos threw caution to the wind in the dying embers, but substitute Witness Shave was guilty of wasting a good opportunity after he was put through by Perfect Chikwende.
While the unbeaten streak remained intact for Dynamos, a third consecutive draw felt like two points dropped rather than one gained, leaving the Harare giants stalled in their tracks while the title race accelerates without them.
The point moves them up one rung to 4th position with 17 points, five behind leaders Caps United.
For ZPC Kariba, a fifth straight draw sees them occupy 10th place with 11 points.
Teams
Dynamos: T Makoni, C Nettey, H Chapusha, C Mujuru, A Gwatidzo, T Pio, S Nyahwa, F Agyemang (M Demera, 75'), S Billiat (W Shave, 75'), W Mutasa (P Chikwende, 60'), J Kasondo (L Mavunga, 60').
ZPC Kariba: F Sibanda, K Gwao, N Kupara, K Madima, C Muleya, V Chidzero, G Mutungamiri (F Shoko, 60'), C Dzingai, C Munyanyi, W Kamurai, I Muroiwa.