Dynamos………..0 FC Platinum….(1)1
From the evidence of Dynamos’ lacklustre display, as they crushed to a defeat against FC Platinum at Rufaro Stadium yesterday, coach Lloyd Mutasa has a mammoth task ahead of him if he is to turn the team’s fortunes around anytime soon. BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
With yesterday’s defeat, Dynamos plummeted to 15th on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table and are undeniably knee-deep in crisis.
The fans’ reaction after the match, where they gathered outside the stadium and chanted songs denouncing club president, Keni Mubaiwa, while also calling for the return of Paulo Jorge Silva, who was dismissed last week, was also evidence of how much trouble DeMbare are in.
Mutasa was given five matches to prove he deserves the job on a full time basis and yesterday’s match may not have done him any favours. Dynamos have won just once in six league games and more worryingly, they have only scored twice. After the match, Mutasa admitted that their biggest problem was the strike force, which he said they needed to work on.
While they may not have played well, they got their chances, which they should have been buried and FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza acknowledged that the difference, at the end of the day, was that his team utilised its best chance and Dynamos didn’t.
Gift Bello scored the all-important goal for the visitors.
With a trip to Tsholotsho next before engaging Highlanders at home and fixtures against Chapungu and Ngezi Platinum to come, Dynamos are in danger of finding themselves in unfamiliar situation of battling relegation.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Mutasa made changes to the team from the previous match, with former Caps United midfielder, Dominic Mukandi and Carlos Rusere given starting berths. But FC Platinum, unbeaten in the campaign so far, proved difficult to break down with their possession-based style.
Kudzanai Nyakasaka could have thrust Dynamos into the lead, but missed with a wild effort, 14 minutes into the match, when he breached the FC Platinum defence, but sent his effort high over the bar in an attempt to beat goalkeeper Petros Mhari.
Instead, Dynamos got punished six minutes later, with Bello nodding home from an Elvis Moyo corner kick to silence the home crowd. After the goal, tension began to build up on the pitch and so did anxiety in the stands.
In the second half, Mutasa pulled out Rodreck Mutuma and threw in Richard Kawondera with Godknows Murwira replacing Nyakasaka in a futile search for an equaliser part of which was down to FC Platinum’s defending.
To their credit, Dynamos piled on the pressure towards the end, launching wave after wave of attack and even had a penalty appeal turned away by Rusape referee, Brighton Chimene in added time.
FC Platinum also had a chance at the death, with substitute Marshall Mudehwe’s powerful shot crashing against the cross bar.
The Zvishavane-based side shot back to the top of the log after Caps United slumped to a defeat at How Mine — their first loss of the season. Mapeza was delighted, with both the performance and result.
“It was a difficult match, we got our chance and that made the difference,” he said.
Mapeza said he was not looking at their position on the league table yet. “To be honest with you, I am not looking at the log. We are taking each game as it comes. It’s too early, the most important thing is for us to concentrate and take each game as it come.”
His opposite number, Mutasa admitted they didn’t play well.
“We didn’t play well in the first half, but there was desire and the hunger in the second. Unfortunately, we couldn’t score, but we hope they will get it right. There is a lack of fire power, we are coming thin in the final third and it’s something we have to sort out,” he said.
Teams
Dynamos: T Mukuruva, O Mwerahari, O Mushure, E Muroiwa, S Linyama, S Alimenda, D Mukandi, A Amidu, C Rusere, K Nyakasaka (G Murwira 7), R Mutuma (R Kawondera 56), FC Platinum: P Mhari, I Nekati, G Bello, K Moyo, E Moyo, W Mhango, R Chinyengetere, (W Kamudyamuriwo 81 min), T Dzumbunu, W Musona, T Rukanda, O Chirwa (I Wadi 65)
