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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
CAPS Utd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
A RED card, two penalties and some bit of controversy summed up the Harare Derby yesterday as giants Dynamos and CAPS United concluded a long season with a deserved share of the spoils at the National Sports Stadium.
Dynamos’ Ghanaian import Emmanuel Paga saved the day for the Glamour Boys after DeMbare had trailed for most of the game from a 34th minute penalty conversion by Castle Lager Premiership Golden Boot winner, William Manondo.
Defender Frank Makarati fluffed a good opportunity to draw the teams level before the half time after referee Brighton Chimene had awarded Dynamos a hotly-contested penalty.
But the Glamour Boys still fought back late on and got a point despite finishing the game with 10 men. Dynamos captain Partson Jaure was shown a second yellow card with 15 minutes remaining; just moments before they scored their goal.
All the same, the teams treated their supporters to some entertaining football. The supporters, though not quite the big crowd traditionally expected for the Harare Derby, appeared satisfied with the result.
England-based former DeMbare defender, Chamu Musanhu, was also at the stadium to cheer his former team.
But this was a game that CAPS United could have easily claimed, had they tightened their defence after gaining a numerical advantage, following the expulsion of Jaure.
Makepekepe coach Lloyd Chitembwe was impressed by the quality of the game, which was a vast improvement from how the teams have been performing this season.
“It was a very good game of football, very balanced,” he said.
“I thought both sets of players reserved the best for the last, though in a worthless cause, you may call it. All the same, both sets of players were gallant today. They played with a lot of courage and energy.
“I am sure the flak that they got during the week that the Derby was meaningless, especially with regards to the performances of both sets of players, really injected a lot of desire in them. So it was a very good game of football and, personally, I enjoyed it,” said Chitembwe.
Dynamos created some good chances early on, but hard-running winger Issa Sadiki and Ralph Kawondera were guilty of missing from good positions.
CAPS United goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga also produced a fine save after just 11 minutes after Dynamos had broken through the middle with three players vying for the same ball. Paga took the responsibility but his rising shot was smothered by the keeper.
Makepekepe’s first real chance came after 26 minutes when Manondo benefitted from a poor back pass to the keeper Taimon Mvula in the DeMbare penalty box. The forward, however, dragged his shot wide from a tight angle.
Still, he atoned for this mistake when CAPS United were awarded a penalty after DeMbare defender Emmanuel Jalai had brought down Ian Nyoni during an intense chase inside the box.
Manondo stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot, for his 17th goal of the season.
DeMbare had a chance to hit back just before the breather after referee Chimene pointed to the spot following a clash between goalkeeper Mateyaunga and Paga.
It looked like a harsh decision, though. But Chimene stood his ground despite the angry remonstrations from the CAPS United players and supporters.
DeMbare vice-captain Makarati, who had been the team’s reliable penalty taker this season, stood up and the penalty was taken right at the stroke of half time.
Mateyaunga dived to his right and was able to stop the ball with his legs before gathering the rebound to safety. Poetic justice was served, much to the delight for the Green Machine, who took their lead to the break.
And, in a desperate quest for an equaliser, Dynamos made five changes in the second half.
However, they encountered another setback when their skipper was sent off following a late tackle on Mandiranga. DeMbare coach Ndiraya was forced to call back to the bench winger Tanaka Chidhobha, who had gone in as a 60th minute substitute, as he sought to replenish his defence.
Chidhobha only lasted 23 minutes on the pitch before being replaced by Brendon Mpofu.
But just before he was hauled out, Chidhobha had whipped in a cross from the left, which was met first time by Paga, with a header to the near post, for the equaliser.
Ndiraya, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the year, was excited by what he saw from his team, in their last match of the season.
“In my opinion, I think it was an exciting match, if you look at the events that took place during the game. I thought we had lots of chances in the first half, clear cut chances for that matter, and we failed to score. I think that really sums our attack this season,” said Ndiraya.
“With all that we had done in the first half we had to go to the breather behind but I liked the character and the fighting spirit in the second half. Of course in the middle of searching for an equaliser, our captain then got red-carded and then in those moments we had to shift how we were playing.
“The boys got an equaliser and after that it was just a matter of managing the game, if you consider where we were coming from. It was risky to push forward and try to find the winner. So, I am happy with the way the team managed the game up until the end.”
Ndiraya went home gratified, especially with the realisation that they collected four points from their traditional rivals, who they trounced 3-0 in the reverse fixture.
Still, Dynamos finished the season in third place, behind champions FC Platinum and Chicken Inn. They have 58 points. CAPS United, on the other hand, finished 11th with 40 points.
Teams:
Dynamos: T. Mvula, E. Jalai, T. Muringai, P. Jaure, F. Makarati, T. Mavhunga, J. Makunike (S. Nyahwa, 71st minute), K. Nadolo, R. Kawondera (T. Makanda, 60th minute), I. Sadiki (T. Chidhobha, 60th minute; B. Mpofu, 83rd minute), E. Paga (A. Eonde, 83rd minute),
CAPS Utd: T. Mateyaunga, P. Govere, T. Joseph, B. Musaka, D. Chafa, T. Chipunza, J. Ngodzo (R. Chinyengetere, 31st minute), E. Mandiranga, P. Bamusi, I. Nyoni (C. Rupiya, 56th minute), W. Manondo.
Online Reporter