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Augustine Hwata
Dynamos ………………………………..…. (1) 1
Highlanders ………………………………….(0) 1
DYNAMOS goalkeeper George Chigova could still be having nightmares after he presented Highlanders with a gift-wrapped goal from this Castle Lager Premiership match at Rufaro yesterday.
The tall goalminder failed to deal with a harmless looking high ball from Bruce Kangwa, which somehow fooled him to hit the back of the net in the 83rd minute.
Chigova wept after the match while a number of Dynamos fans bayed for his head because of the blunder.
Harare giants DeMbare had taken the lead after Simba Sithole beat Warriors goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda in the 11th minute from inside the box.
Sithole received the ball and managed to shake off Bosso centreback Eric Mudzingwa before he turned and fired past Sibanda.
The early goal settled the Dynamos players but Highlanders, to their credit, did not panic despite the setback with Bosso skipper Innocent Mapuranga rallying his troops to reorganise.
The match had been billed as the championship decider and there was a sellout crowd of nearly 30 000 while the league sponsors Delta and the clubs’ financiers BancABC tried to hype the match with a number of activities including a match between Highlanders and Dynamos yesteryear players.
At the end of the day, Dynamos maintained their two-point advantage over second-placed Highlanders who have 57 points.
The result yesterday meant the league race would be decided on yet another day as the championship surely heads to the wire just like last year when FC Platinum and Dynamos ran neck-to-neck.
During the first half of the game yesterday, Dynamos had more clear cut chances with one of them falling to Denver Mukamba who worked his way past Knox Mtizwa before attempting at goal.
Highlanders’ best chance in the early stages fell to Masimba Mambare in the 15th minute but the usually reliable forward fluffed the opportunity when he failed to finish the move.
Dynamos, who had an upper hand in midfield, could have increased the lead in the 19th minute through Devon Chafa who came on a strong run but directed his shot just over the bar while Sithole could have done better in the 32nd minute when he headed wide.
Mupasiri worked his way past leftback Bruce Kangwa and then whipped a high ball that found Sithole unmarked inside the box but the former Mamelodi Sundowns striker directed his header off the mark.
Highlanders pulled out Mambare as Graham Ncube came in to help Mthulisi Maphosa in the midfield battles in the second half.
After the changes, Highlanders began to venture forward more while Maphosa, who had a quieter first half, was now visible.
Maphosa did most of the dirty work and tried to thwart Mukamba’s creativity.
But it was Dynamos who could have increased their lead in the 59th minute when Mukamba carved an avenue past Lawson Nkomo and then squared a pass for Mupasiri who was unattended in the box.
Mupasiri tried to connect first time but his attempt went wide for what could have been the winning goal.
Dynamos then suffered a setback when Chafa was injured after a collision with teammate Thomas Magorimbo.
Bosso hardman Maphosa was living dangerously after he received a yellow card following a lunge on Mukamba but the former TP Mazembe player continued to give his side the inspiration.
Highlanders then got the promised goal from an unlikely move when Kangwa appeared to be crossing into the box, but the ball eluded Chigova.
Bosso fans went into delirium and their team upped their tempo as they managed to snatch a point from the jaws of a defeat.
But while Highlanders were happy with a draw, in reality the Bulawayo giants have now failed to win a league match over DeMbare since 2006.
After the match, Bosso coach Kelvin Kaindu was pleased to get a draw and maintain the heat on DeMbare.
“We just told ourselves that we are going to score despite us conceding an early goal.
“The team played quite well because we came back and got an equaliser,” he said.
Kaindu believes their formation in which they had fewer personnel in midfield failed to work.
“I think the formation which we applied in the first half did not work according to our plan and in second half we had to change.
“Coming towards the end of the game, it was the third formation we had to adopt,” said Kaindu.
Kaindu said their usually dependable striker Mambare failed to rise to the occasion.
“Masimba Mambare is a key player. He got vital goals for us but I think he was not in the game today.
“The race is still on and as of now there is no team that has been confirmed as champions.
“I do not know about relegation teams but there are still 12 more points to go and its still a long way to go,” said Kaindu.
Dynamos assistant coach Tonderayi Ndiraya said he was happy with their performance and refused the give Chigova the flak.
“I thought we dominated and we had more opportunities than them. They got an opportunistic goal but we are still hopeful.
“That’s football,” said Ndiraya.
Ndiraya said Chigova still has room for improvement.
“I would not want to blame anyone for the goal because it happens in football.
“It was a difficult ball. If you talk to the youngster, he will tell you otherwise. It was a good performance from our guys and we are satisfied because we created chances.
“The young man has taken over from Washy and he still has a bright future ahead,” said Ndiraya.
Teams
Dynamos: G. Chigova, P. Jaure, D. Chafa, T. Magorimbo, F. Mupasiri, S. Sithole, O. Mushure (T. Mamvura min), C. Sekete, G. Bello, D. Mukamba, T. Muparati
Highlanders: A. Sibanda, I. Mapuranga, B. Ncube, E. Mudzingwa, H. Masuku, B. Kangwa, M. Maphosa, L. Nkomo, C. Dube (O. Zibande 77th min) K. Mtizwa (S. Munawa 57th min), M. Mambare (G. Ncube 53rd min)
Online Reporter