adminBLUE Ribbon stand-in captain James Jam nodded home a priceless first half effort that helped the newboys complete a double over the Harare giants in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro yesterday.
James was left unattended inside the box as he headed in a high ball that had been whipped in from the right by Tawanda Mupingu in the eighth minute.
Blue Ribbon talisman Tineyi Chitora initiated the goal when he beat Augustine Mbara on the right before laying for Mupingu to cross.
The solitary strike means Blue Ribbon have now won both league matches against Dynamos this season after sailing to a 2-1 victory during the reverse fixture.
The win pushed Blue Ribbon to 25 points from 18 games while Dynamos remain on 29 points.
Yesterday’s defeat left Dynamos 10 points behind log leaders FC Platinum and have to improve from their performance from yesterday if they are still entertaining chances of exerting pressure on the pacesetters.
Dynamos remain in fourth position while Motor Action’s 2-0 win over Kiglon yesterday pushed them to within two points of FC Platinum.
DeMbare coach Lloyd Mutasa felt his side lost the plot in the first half when they conceded “a soft goal.”
Dynamos created a few chances, which they also wasted in the second half as they hurried their efforts.
“We lost the plot in the first half.
“I think we never created as many chances as we should have.
“Again we should never have conceded that goal,” said Mutasa.
Martin Vengesayi, Rodrick Mutuma and Tawanda Muparati missed chances in the second half as DeMbare sought to equalise.
“The youngsters were eager to score and tended to rush their efforts.
“But I liked their fighting spirit and it was just unfortunate that we could not win today,” said Mutasa.
Dynamos produced a near-lifeless display in the first half as Blue Ribbon dominated play although DeMbare tried to claw back into the game in the second half.
For some moments the game was a cliffhanger as Dynamos threw everything at Blue Ribbon but found the defence of Brighton Tuwaya and Dickson Crispen uncompromising.
Mutasa also paid tribute to the fans for rallying behind the side throughout.
“I am happy with the supporters who cheered the team all the way but it was not our day. However, losing is just a set-back because there is still 36 points to play for in the league,” said Mutasa.
Mutasa also had the guts to throw in young midfielder Tichaona Mabvura but the player failed to provide the spark.
“He is still a young player but we need to constantly give him game time in matches such as these.
“Hopefully he will gain confidence and I am sure he will come to the party,” said Mutasa.
Blue Ribbon coach Misheck Chidzambwa was happy to complete a memorable double over Dynamos but remained modest even in his moment of triumph.
“Dynamos are just like any other team in the league,” said Chidzambwa.
As Dynamos desperately sought to even the scores, Blue Ribbon tried to hit the giants on counter attacks and on two such moves, they could have increased the scores but Chitora and Tatenda Munetsi sent their efforts wide.
“We should have buried those chances on the counter attacks.
“Actually I am disappointed that we failed to score more goals,” said Chidzambwa.
The game started on a low note with both teams failing to complete meaningful passes and within the first six minutes no team had attempted a short at goal.
Action was just swinging from one half to the other until Chitora created a way past Mbara before Mupingu crossed for Jam to score.
After the goal, Dynamos started playing with more urgency but their midfield failed to provide a clean supply of balls to strikers Mutuma and Vengesayi.
Vengesayi at times had to drop deep to hunt for the ball while Farayi Vimisayi and veteran Murape Murape never reached their full potential.
But at least there was still some hope for Dynamos, although it was Blue Ribbon who had the lion’s share of possession as Chitora made some intelligent play.
Former Dynamos defender Tuwaya, played his heart in the centre of Blue Ribbon defence and was quick to clear the balls. Dynamos had awakened from their slumber in the second half but at times they resorted to pumping long balls upfront while goalkeeper Washington Arubi tried to rally his team from the back.
On a number of occasions Blue Ribbon goalkeeper Tapiwa Zvaita made some committed saves to deny the speedy striker Vengesayi.
Teams:
Blue Ribbon
T. Zvaita, B. Tuwaya, E. Phiri (T. Munetsi 51st min), S. Choenda, C. Mukanhairi (V. Mukudo 56th min), C. Mashumba, T. Chitora, C. Borowa, D. Crispen, J. Jam, T. Mupingu
Dynamos
W. Arubi, T. Mamvura, A, Mbara, G. Magariro. G. Zhokinyi, R. Mutuma, M. Makopa, M. Murape (T. Mabvura 46th min), F. Vimisayi (N. Ziwini 60th min), M. Vengesayi, T. Muparati.
Online Reporter