Kiglon…………………..(0) 1 Dynamos………………………..0
High flying Dynamos were brought back to earth by a disciplined Kiglon side at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday in their first Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match of the season.
William Manondo’s goal from close range in the 68th minute was all that Kiglon needed to maintain their status as Dynamos’ bogey team.
Kiglon derailed Dynamos’ title ambition last season with a 1–0 win while the reverse fixture had ended 0–0.
Kiglon assistant coach Partridge Muskwe said his boys played according to instructions and was happy to come out with all the three points.
“I’m over the moon, I have said it before that in a game of football there are surprises and today’s result is one of those surprises,” said Muskwe.
“It was a battle of wits and my boys came out tops because they played according to instructions. We told the boys not to give Dynamos too much space in the midfield and they did just that. We have been watching Dynamos, analysing them in their pre-season matches and that helped us a lot,” added the former Eagles gaffer.
Lloyd Mutasa, who has been riding high and enjoying himself under the sun after some convincing victories during the preseason that was capped up with a 4–1 thumping to MC Algiers of Algeria last week was a dejected man after the match.
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“Losing is part and parcel of the game but like any coach it is very disappointing to lose the first match of the season after doing so well in the preseason games,” said Mutasa.
“The loss has shown us where we have to improve as a team, we have seen where we have to correct ourselves considering that we have a Champions League game coming up,” added Mutasa.
Archford Gutu, Denver Mukamba, Washington Arubi and Guthrie Zhokinyi were all missing from the Dynamos line up as they were on national duty with the Warriors team that fell to Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday.
Dynamos enjoyed the early exchanges, spreading the ball around and could have found the opener in the 11th minute but Rodrick Mutuma who was clearly off-form yesterday blasted over after Danger Fourpence had lost possession in his box.
The Harare giants almost paid dearly five minutes later as Conrad Witby’s cross was fluffed by goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupanedengu and from the rebound Manondo skied his effort.
Farai Vimisai’s curler from the edge of the box in the 24th minute and his vociferous shot that was tipped over by goalkeeper Stephen Chimusoro in the 44th minute was the closest Dynamos came to scoring in the first half.
Kiglon by then had gained confidence and came from the breather a more determined side and their superiority counted midway through the second stanza as Manondo bundled the ball home from a Witby corner.
Desmond Maringwa had failed to clear the lines after Devon Chafa had needlessly given away the corner kick.
Substitute Nicholas Alufandika missed what could have been an equaliser deep into injury time when he latched on to a Thomas Magorimbo cross but sliced the ball wide from some few metres away.
Teams
Kiglon: S Chimusoro, W Chingodza, B Gumbo, D Fourpence, W Nyamutsaka, J Matselele, C Mukanhairi, W Conrad (T Mazivisa 92nd min), Y Ebabali (N Maviri 61st min), W Manondo, P Kaunda (C Mashumba 85th min).
Dynamos: M Nyamupanedengu, G Bello, G Magariro. F Vimisai, D Chafa, D Maringwa, D Kutyauripo, T Magorimbo, R Mutuma (P Khumbula 52nd min), D Benati (M Vengesai 15th min), T Muparati (N Alifandika 65th min).
Results at a glance Sunday Kiglon 1-0 Dynamos; Highlanders 3-0 Shabanie Mine; Masvingo 0-0 Monomotapa; Hwange 0–0 Gunners
Saturday FC Platinum 2-0 Shooting Stars; Caps United 5-3 Zimbabwe Saints, Chicken 2-2 Blue Ribbon; Motor Action 2-0 Black Mambas
