Dynamos’ chances of winning the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title suffered a blow after they were held to a frustrating goalless draw by bogey side Triangle at Gibbo Stadium yesterday.
Playing a day after title rivals FC Platinum and log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars won their respective match on Wednesday, the Harare giants needed to win to keep pace with the pacesetters.
But they just could not break down a resilient Triangle side despite bossing the game and creating the better of the chances.
In the end, the Genesis Mangombe-coached side had to settle for a point, which did very little to enhance their chances of ending their eight-year title drought. They moved to 40 points, a massive eleven points behind log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars with nine games remaining.
That gap is set to be cut to eight points when Dynamos are awarded three points from their abandoned match against Highlanders.
Mangombe is, however, not throwing in the towel just yet.
“I'm happy with the way we played,” Mangombe said in his post-match analysis. “We dominated in everything, and it shows that the team is responding well to how we want them to play. We just needed to capitalise on the chances that we created. It was a good game for us because we were playing a team with a low block and it's difficult to penetrate. In the second half after we made some changes, we created a lot of chances and if we were lucky we could have scored one or two goals. But it's a point gained for us, it's better that way than lose the game altogether.
“We must work on the finishing aspect of the game. There are nine games still to play, so it's a long way to go. We are still in with a shout to win the title. What is needed is to work hard and try to collect maximum points. Some big teams also dropped some points yesterday (Wednesday), so it means the gap between us and the log leaders is still manageable.”
- Inside Sport: Local stadiums in urgent need of attention
- Bullets ease relegation fears
- FC Platinum move six points clear
- Clinical Herentals leapfrog Ngezi to sixth
Keep Reading
Triangle assistant coach John Nyikadzino was disappointed that they dropped two points.
The Lowveld side are in 16th position with 26 points, six ahead of Black Rhinos who sit at the bottom of the standings.
“Overally, I'm disappointed because we wanted a win,” Nyikadzino said. “We wasted two good chances at the start of the second half when one of my players made a wrong decision in a two-versus-one situation. In the first 20 minutes, we gave too much respect to Dynamos and were in total control of the game, then after that we responded very well but unfortunately, we could not get the win that we wanted. It's high time we start collecting maximum points because there are only nine games left. Yes, the performance and the attitude of the boys was correct but we are disappointed they failed to utilise the chances that came our way. Our plan was to catch Dynamos on a counter-attack, and it worked but we couldn't utilise our chances. With a bit of precision in the second half we could have scored a goal,” said Nyikadzino.
Dynamos was looking at ending their recent winless streak at Gibbo where they lost on their last two visits. They started brightly although it was the home side who got the first real chance of the game through Wilson Mensah whose shot was fumbled by goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa before the Dynamos defenders managed to deal with the early scare.
Mangombe's men responded with a chance of their own in the eight minute with Keith Madera stinging the hands of veteran Triangle goalkeeper Talbert Shumba who had an outstanding game yesterday.
Dynamos continued to create the better chances with Issa Sadiki and Tanaka Shandirwa playing well in midfield, but the visitors could not just beat the impressive Shumba who stretched to deny Kelvin Moyo's shot from close range before Nyasha Chintuli fired over.
Triangle made some changes at the start of the second half and substitute Migos Svinurai almost made an instant impact, but decided to shoot at goal when passing the ball to a better-positioned teammate was a better option. His tame shot could not trouble Tafiremutsa.
But the bustling former Rhinos man would get an even better chance just after the hour mark, his effort going inches over with the goalkeeper well beaten.
Mangombe then introduced young Elton Chikona who returned from Spain this week where he was undergoing trials with the hope that he can unlock the Triangle defence.
He did well in the 80th minute to create some space inside the box but miscued his effort with the Dynamos faithfuls ready to celebrate.
The visitors, who have not won against Triangle in their last five duels, continued to pour forward but could not create any meaningful chances, save for a dangerous cutback by the roving Emmanuel Jalai which was cut out by an alert Shumba in the 86th minute with the DeMbare forwards waiting to pounce.
Teams
Triangle: T Shumba, J Mukombwe, C Musimwa, R Kwaramba, E Mafirenyika, T Karembo, L Ndlela (Nyabinde, 46'), N Ngwenya (W Makuva, 68'), R Madamombe (M Svinurai 46'), W Mensah, N Rauzhi (N Zingo, 91')
Dynamos: P Tafiremutsa, K Moyo, E Jalai, E Moyo, F Makarati, J Makunike,T Shandirwa, I Sadiki (E Ilunga, 78'), K Madera (E Paga 62'), N Chintuli (E Chikona, 62')
