Online Reporter
Onward Gangata
TelOne……………………………………………….(1)1
Dynamos……………………………………………(2)2
THERE was a time when Dynamos were called the ‘Boys In Blue.’
Yesterday, they were the ‘Boys in Red’ as they bounced back in spectacular fashion, from a five-goal mauling, to get their Castle Lager Premiership campaign off to a flying start at a rain-soaked Ascot. Frank Agyemang and Jairos Kasondo were on target as the Glamour Boys rallied from a goal down to beat a TelOne side coached by their former coach Herbert Maruwa.
Genesis Mangombe, who replaced Maruwa and was then fired and rehired, said the conditions made it difficult for him to judge his side.
“I am happy that we collected maximum points away from home,” said Mangombe.
“It was not really a match where you analyse performance because the pitch was badly affected by the rain.
“It was difficult for the players in many aspects, so today it was more about fighting for the result and we managed to do that.”
Maruwa was a frustrated man.
“It is always painful to lose, especially at the beginning of the season,” he said.
“But the pitch was very difficult for the kind of football we wanted to play. We cannot blame the players too much. We go back, work on the mistakes and prepare for the next match.”
Dynamos will take encouragement from the performances of some of their new faces, several of whom looked comfortable in the demanding conditions as they begin settling into the squad.
The fixture had been scheduled for Saturday but a waterlogged pitch forced a postponement and when light rain returned early yesterday morning, there were fears the game could be moved again.
It took TelOne barely two minutes to take advantage of the slippery conditions.
A quick move caught Dynamos flat and Jerry Chipangura reacted first inside the box, squeezing the ball past the goalkeeper to give the Wifi Boys a dream start and briefly lift the mood among the home supporters who had braved the chilly and we weather conditions.
For a while it looked as if TelOne might ride that early momentum.
Instead the game slowly tilted the other way as Dynamos settled, began to hold the ball better in midfield and started asking questions down the flanks where the wet surface made defending awkward.
The equaliser arrived in the 14th minute and it carried a touch of old fashioned centre forward bravery.
Perfect Chikwende swung a teasing cross toward the penalty area and Agyemang launched himself at it, his diving header skidding off the slick turf before bouncing into the net as the Dynamos bench leapt to its feet.
From then on they looked more comfortable, pushing TelOne deeper and forcing the home side into hurried clearances while the midfield battle became increasingly scrappy as players struggled to keep their footing on the damp grass.
The decisive moment came late in the first half and it was one TelOne goalkeeper Takudzwa Chikosi will replay in his mind for some time.
Under little pressure he misjudged a loose ball in front of him and Kasondo needed no second invitation, calmly lifting it over the stranded keeper and watching it drop into the empty net to hand Dynamos the lead before the break.
TEAMS
TelOne:
Takudzwa Chikosi, Tawanda Macheke, Jerry Chipangura, Marvelous Chigumira (Blessing Matebeck 53 mins), Innocent Mucheneka (Bruno Mtigo 46 mins), Frank Makarati, Tafadzwa Jaravani, Nqobizitha Masuku, Leeroy Murape (Farai Matatu 73 mins), Zibusiso Ruguchu, Panashe Mtasa (Tyrone Matongorere 46 mins)
Dynamos:
Tatenda Makoni, Nyahwa, Jairos Kasondo (Elton Njini 74 mins), Clive Mandivei, Perfect Chikwende, Collin Mujuru, Frank Agyemang (Tellmore Pio 85 mins), Isaac Landu (Tendaishe Magwaza 46 mins), Stanley Billiat (Witness Shave 85 mins), Christopher Nettey
