Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0)2
Hunters FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)2
DYNAMOS head coach Genesis Mangombe has bemoaned his side’s gruelling travel schedule after watching a lethargic DeMbare labour to a 2-2 draw against Castle Lager Premier Soccer League debutants Hunters FC at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
The Harare giants entered the midweek fixture on the back of another taxing 2-2 draw against Manica Diamonds at Sakubva on Sunday.
Forced to recover and turn around inside 72 hours, Dynamos looked heavy-legged and struggled to cope with a vibrant Hunters side.
To compound Mangombe’s woes, the team was haunted by the twin suspension of their regular defensive midfield pairing, captain Shadreck Nyahwa and Tellmore Pio.
However, Dynamos’ physical woes should take nothing away from the league debutants.
Hunters were brilliant throughout the match and were arguably unlucky not to walk away with all three points.
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The visitors dominated large patches of the game, with the upfront duo of Michael Tapera and Elder Chirima proving virtually unplayable for the makeshift DeMbare backline.
Despite their territorial dominance, Hunters failed to find the back of the net in a one-sided first half.
Speaking after the match, Hunters coach Nesbert Saruchera expressed mixed feelings about the result.
“Yeah, I thought maybe we should have collected three today,” he said.
“We had some very good opportunities and maybe with some of the decisions we should have maybe collected three today.
“And also our defending was not up to scratch today.”
He added: “We scored two beautiful goals and we conceded two equal ones.
“We should have scored two to three goals in the first half, but unfortunately, we did not.
“But we can’t moan. Maybe we played good. We are going to get three points on our next encounter.”
Despite being second-best for the entire opening period, it was Dynamos who broke the deadlock four minutes after the restart.
Man of the match Frank Agyemang produced a moment of sheer individual brilliance in the 49th minute.
The forward dummied Hunters defender Praise Tonha deep inside the Dynamos half before embarking on a sensational solo run down half the field to coolly slot the ball past goalkeeper Moreblessing Phiri.
The goal woke Hunters from their slumber and they deservedly responded on the hour mark through Tawananyasha Huni, who cancelled out the lead to make it 1-1.
The visitors then silenced the Rufaro faithful in the 74th minute when King Nadolo scored to give Hunters a deserved 2-1 lead.
However, their advantage lasted only three minutes.
Agyemang proved to be Dynamos’ saviour once again, striking in the 77th minute to rescue a share of the spoils for the hosts.
Reflecting on the performance, a frustrated Mangombe pointed to a lack of recovery time and squad depletion as the main catalysts for the flat display.
“I think we did not play according to what we expected and what we wanted,” Mangombe said.
“But you know, it’s a game of football. I think we were slow on the ball, we were second on the ball, especially first half.
“I think it’s because of travelling. It is out of fatigue. So we tried to adjust our second half and we also tried to bring in some new guys who haven’t played.”
He added: “It was improved energy and hence we managed to score and also come back in the game.
“But at the end of the day, I think playing against this team, it wasn’t going to be easy.”
Mangombe lamented the suspensions and “some knocks as well after travelling that long distance”.
He said after playing on Sunday, they “really needed” some rest and also have “a planned time to recover”.
“But overall, having that draw-draw isn’t bad.
“We will take that point and also focus on our next assignment and make sure that we collect more points.”
The stalemate result sees DeMbare reach the halfway stage of the season in sixth place with 26 points — a return that leaves them lagging behind the pace-setters.
Meanwhile, the vital away point keeps Hunters FC just outside the dreaded relegation zone, sitting 14th on the log standings with 15 points.
Results
Chicken Inn 0-0 Caps United
FC Platinum 0-0 Hardrock
Simba Bhora 1-0 Ngezi
MWOS 3-1 Manica Diamonds
ZPC Kariba 0-0 Herentals
