Andrew
Innocent Kurira in BULAWAYO
Bulawayo City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
A Melikhaya Ncube goal from the penalty spot with 11 minutes to play earned Bulawayo City a massive three points in their battle to survive the Castle Lager Premiership relegation.
However, it effectively ended Dynamos’ desperate pursuit of runaway leaders FC Platinum, as the defeat handed the miners the championship, even before they take to the pitch against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
Bulawayo City had a plan and they stuck to it.
The hosts sat back and allowed the visitors to come at them.
Their plan was simple. They looked to catch Dynamos on the break, and each time they did get the opportunity, they were threatening.
One of those raids resulted in a penalty in the 79th minute, when Frank Makarati handled the ball in the box.
Referee Mhaka Magara was left with no choice but to point to the spot.
Ncube took responsibility and made no mistake from 12 yards.
The victory moved City’s point tally to 30 and ensured they moved two places above Tenax and Harare City, who play today.
Dynamos are still in second place owing to a superior goal difference, as they are tied with Chicken Inn on 56 points with three games to go.
If anything, Bulawayo City coach Farai Tawachera has Tonderai Ndiraya’s number, as he collected four points from DeMbare this season.
In his first game in charge of Bulawayo City in May, Tawachera held Dynamos to a 1-1 draw in Harare.
Yesterday’s game was, however, a painful defeat for DeMbare, considering they dominated the match.
Ndiraya was disappointed with the manner in which they lost.
“It was a tale of two halves. We dominated in the first half, we created some opportunities but the final ball was disappointing.
“We did not bring dangerous balls into the box to create scoring opportunities,” he said.
“In the second half, we came back different. In the first moments of the second half, we dominated, but the opponents had a plan.
“They wanted to catch us on the counter and they could have scored two or three goals on the break. We were keeping the ball but running out of ideas … it is sad to lose this way, but we have to accept it and move on.”
Tawachera was an elated man.
“Dynamos is not an easy team to play against. We knew what they would bring and we were prepared for them.
“I give thumbs-up to the boys who worked very hard for the victory. We are still hopeful we will survive.
“This victory gives us motivation going forward,” he said.
Online Reporter