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The two teams played to a one-all draw with former Caps United and Mamelodi Sundowns striker Simba Sithole propelling Dynamos to a lead in the 11th minute.
A gaffe towards the end of the pulsating encounter by DeMbare goalkeeper George Chigova off a very seemingly harmless Bruce Kangwa ball ensured that Highlanders came out of Rufaro with a valuable point.
Just like last season where the championship went to the wire as Dynamos and FC Platinum were neck-on-neck, the title is likely to be decided on another day and the next coming four games will be crucial for DeMbare and Bosso.
“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 it’s still a long way to go,” said Kelvin Kaindu, Highlanders’ coach in his post-match interview.
However, it’s an advantage to Dynamos as they still enjoy a two-point lead over their archrivals who are breathing heavily at their back with 57 points.
What Dynamos needs now is the backing of their vociferous supporters who were quiet for the entire game on Sunday maybe due to their team’s failure to get into the groove.
DeMbare had a glut of scoring opportunities which went begging with Farai Mupasiri a strong contender for the Premiership Rookie of the Year Award after fluffing a golden opportunity in the early stages of the second half.
Both sides showed some intentions to win but it was Dynamos who had the upper hand.
“I thought we dominated and we had more opportunities than them. They got an opportunistic goal but we are still hopeful,” said Dynamos’ assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
Denver Mukamba had made his way past Lawson Nkomo and as Eric Mudzingwa moved away from central defence, Mukamba set a square ball to Mupasiri who inside the 12th area shot wide with only Ariel Sibanda to beat.
The defending champions will also have to work on their finishing if they are to successfully retain the championship as their players took turns to miss chances.
Cliff Sekete and Mukamba were Dynamos’ most lively players on Sunday with Mthulisi Maphosa being a shining beacon for the Bulawayo giants as he easily commanded the midfield.
Heritein Masuku and Knox Mutizwa who were surprise starters for Highlanders in the absence of Milton Ncube and Peter “Rio” Moyo who failed to make it into the first team also gave a good account of themselves.
Masuku full of running for the entire game thwarted Dynamos’ build-ups in the midfield where he was partnering Masuku in central midfield.
Had Dynamos won, they would have opened a five point lead and Highlanders left needing divine intervention to win the title.
What is also clear about the championship is that it is now up to Dynamos to lose the title.
Another plus for the Harare giants is that they will play three of their remaining four matches at their favourite fortress, Rufaro and it is hard for any team to beat them there.
Dynamos face Black Mambas away at Rufaro followed by another away game to Monomotapa before playing host to Buffaloes.
DeMbare’s last match of the season is an away game against Hardbody in Gweru.
As for Highlanders, they are left with two home games — that is against Buffaloes tomorrow and Week 29 when they play host to FC Platinum.
Bosso will travel to Hardbody in Gweru and their last game of the season is against Blue Rangers.
Meanwhile, Monomotapa’s championship hopes were rekindled following the giants’ draw. Monomotapa who are third on the log have a chance of claiming the title provided that Dynamos and Highlanders fall along the way.
Monomotapa beat relegation threatened Black Mambas 3-2 on Saturday.
Caps United condemned Gunners into the relegation waters with a 2-1 win on Sunday.
Nation Dube picked his first point since taking over as Hwange’s head coach when they drew one-all with Buffaloes in Mutare.
Remaining fixtures
Week 27: Black Mambas v Dynamos, Harare City v Caps United, Hwange v Hardbody, Chicken Inn v Blue Rangers, Shabanie Mine v FC Platinum, Motor Action v Quelaton, Highlanders v Buffaloes, Gunners v Monomotapa.
Week 28: Monomotapa v Dynamos, Buffaloes v Black Mambas, Hardbody v Highlanders, Quelaton v Chicken Inn, Blue Rangers v Shabanie Mine, Caps United v Motor Action, FC Platinum v Hwange, Gunners v Harare City.
Week 29: Dynamos v Buffaloes, Black Mambas v Hardbody, Motor Action v Gunners, Chicken Inn v Caps United, Shabanie Mine v Quelaton, Hwange v Blue Rangers, Highlanders v FC Platinum, Harare City v Monomotapa
Week 30: Monomotapa v Buffaloes, Blue Rangers v Highlanders, FC Platinum v Black Mambas, Hardbody v Dynamos, Harare City v Motor Action, Caps United v Shabanie Mine, Quelaton v Hwange, Gunners v Chicken Inn.
Online Reporter