Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Dynamos 2-2 Hunters
DYNAMOS’ hopes of keeping touch with the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League pacesetters suffered another setback at Rufaro Stadium yesterday as familiar defensive shortcomings resurfaced in a hard-fought draw against relegation-threatened Hunters FC.
While Frank Agyemang’s brace ensured DeMbare avoided defeat, the bigger story was Dynamos’ continued inability to protect leads. For a side chasing the teams above them, dropping points after twice moving in front will concern coach Genesis Mangombe far more than the individual brilliance of his Ghanaian striker.
The visitors created the better opportunities early on. Michael Tapera’s delivery into the area found Elder Chirima, whose header drifted wide, while Ronald Pfumbidzai nearly produced a spectacular moment when his curling corner forced Tatenda Makoni into a sharp intervention.
Dynamos gradually settled and began finding space through Anotidaishe and Abel Gwatidzo and Leeroy Mavhunga. Their best opportunity of the opening half fell to Agyemang, who raced onto a well-worked move before testing Moreblessing Phiri with a powerful effort from distance.
The contest remained evenly balanced until early in the second half when Agyemang produced the quality that has increasingly become vital to Dynamos. The striker burst down the left, sold his marker with a clever dummy and finished confidently to hand the hosts the advantage.
What followed highlighted the difference between the two sides’ situations. Rather than retreating into their shells, Hunters responded immediately. Their willingness to attack forced Dynamos into mistakes and one such lapse presented the visitors with a route back into the game. A foul on the edge of the area handed Tadiwanashe Huni a set-piece opportunity and he punished Dynamos by restoring parity.
The equaliser transformed the mood of the contest. Hunters suddenly sensed vulnerability while Dynamos looked uncertain whenever they were forced to defend. The visitors’ belief was rewarded when King Nadolo reacted quickest after Makoni had initially denied Chirima, turning home the rebound to complete the comeback.
For a brief moment, the result threatened to become another damaging blow to Dynamos’ campaign. Yet Agyemang rescued his side once more. Substitute Jairos Kasondo delivered an inviting ball into the box and the Ghanaian striker finished clinically to claim his seventh league goal of the season and salvage a point.
Meanwhile, at Ngoni Stadium in Norton, Langton Nyakwenda reports that MWOS finally produced the kind of performance that suggests their season may yet have life after coming from behind to beat Manica Diamonds 3-1.
For a club that finished runners-up last season, seventh place remains below expectations. Yet this victory carried significance beyond three points. It ended a frustrating run of home struggles, halted the momentum of a Manica Diamonds side that arrived unbeaten in six matches and offered evidence that Lloyd Mutasa’s men are beginning to rediscover the resilience that made them one of the league’s most consistent teams last year. The afternoon began in uncomfortable fashion for the hosts. Namibian striker David Ndeunyema missed an early penalty before Manica Diamonds capitalised when Fortune Binzi produced an overhead kick to put the visitors ahead in the 22nd minute.
Ndeunyema refused to allow his missed penalty to define his afternoon. The striker became increasingly influential as MWOS pushed for a response and he provided the pass that allowed Jeremiah Makangira to level matters before the break. The equaliser shifted the mood around Ngoni and gave the hosts renewed belief.
MWOS emerged for the second half with greater purpose and intensity. Their midfield moved the ball quicker, they pressed higher up the pitch and began forcing Manica Diamonds deeper into their own half, with Valentine Katsande finding the second and Ndeunyema made it 3-1 later.
In Zvishavane, Joel Luphahla was left a disappointed man after his men squandered several chances against Hardrock at Mandava Stadium in a match that ended 0-0.
