DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 2
NGEZI PLATINUM STARS . . . . . . (2) 2
THERE were screamers galore at Rufaro Stadium yesterday as Dynamos and defending league champions Ngezi Platinum Stars played out a thrilling but also chaotic draw, which did little to release pressure on the team's two underfire coaches.
In this rollercoaster game, Valentine Kadonzvo fired a brilliant first volley from just outside the box to give the hosts a 16th minute lead against his former paymasters.
The visitors hit back immediately, first when Takunda Benhura turned home a Tinotenda Musariranwa square pass in the 21st minute after a mistake by defender Donald Dzvinyai, then a spectacular second as Farai Madhanaga caught Dynamos goalkeeper Martin Mapisa off his line with a shot from inside the centre circle in the 39th minute to turn the game on its head.
But a fabulous freekick from substitute Freddy Alick, thumped home from some 35 metre out, saw the Harare giants salvage a point in this absorbing contest between two teams whose coaches are under immense pressure following a bad start to their league campaign.
Yesterday's contest had its fair share of drama as Dynamos protested the awarding of Madhanaga's effort which they felt should not have stood as there was a foul on Donald Mudadi in the buildup to the goal.
The mayhem caused a three minute delay to the restart as players mobbed referee Thembinkosi Sibanda, who in all honesty, had a day to forget in office.
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Sibanda further angered the Dynamos camp when he disallowed Alick's other goal for an offside.
The point gained saw Dynamos move to 11th position with 10 points, eight behind log leaders Highlanders although they have their abandoned match against Chegutu Pirates still to be determined.
DeMbare coach Genesis Mangombe said he is happy with his boys performance. He, however, criticised the match officials, saying their decisions are “determining” matches.
“I'm still worried about some of the decisions from the match officials," Mangombe said.
“On their second goal, I thought there was a foul on my player but the referee waved play on. Of course I'm not happy with my players' reaction so I will try to hit on them that they have to play to the referees’s whistle. But some of the decisions are now determining the results. I'm happy with my boys, they played very well and we are now working towards the next assignment against Chicken Inn.”
Ngezi Platinum controlled much of the contest and created the better chances which they failed to finish, leaving their underfire coach Takesure Chiragwi frustrated.
The league championship winning coach was clearly agitated throughout the contest and, on a number of times, vented his anger by punching the substitute shed.
He disappeared into the dressing room soon after the final whistle.
His side is on 14th position with nine points.
Teams
Dynamos: M Mapisa, D Dzvinyai, F Makarati, K Moyo, E Jalai, N Chinyerere (E Ziocha, 81'), F Botchway, D Mudadi (F Alick, 51'), T Chiwunga (I Sadiki, 51'), V Kadonzvo (E Ilunga, 73'), E Paga (A Mandinyenya, 81').
Ngezi Platinum Stars: N Chadya, K Chigwida, G Madhake, R Hachiro, F Madhanaga, M Mukumba, T Chamboko, W Vuwa (Q Amini, 83'), M Gaki, T Benhura, T Musariranwa (M Makuwe, 55').
