adminIN-FORM midfielder Murape Murape struck his second goal in as many matches to help Dynamos jump into third place on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log standings.
The veteran midfielder’s first half goal settled matters as Dynamos overcame a battling Chicken Inn at Rufaro yesterday.
Yesterday’s win saw Dynamos rise three places up into third with 25 points after 15 games.
It’s the highest position that Dynamos have achieved this season and well within their target of being in the top four at mid-season.
The Harare giants are now five points behind log leaders FC Platinum who are on 30 points while Motor Action are in second place with 28 points.
Dynamos’ bitter Harare rivals CAPS United, who were inactive yesterday, are in seventh place.
Murape was again on target last Saturday in Johannesburg as Dynamos edged an Orlando Pirates development side in an international friendly at the Rand Stadium.
The pencil-slim forward has been enjoying fine form and was clearly Dynamos’ best player in an otherwise drab derby showdown with CAPS United.
Yesterday the experienced midfielder led from the front by scoring the all-important goal in the 30th minute when he reacted fastest to capitalise after Chicken Inn goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni had blocked Roderick Mutuma’s effort.
But credit should go to Murape who engineered the move when he intercepted a pass from Chicken Inn’s Danisa Phiri near the centre circle and then laid the ball on for Denver Mukamba.
Mukamba, who showed touches of brilliance that made him a trump card at Dynamos during the early days of the season, then charged forward.
Dynamos made some fine inter-play as Mukamba passed to Mutuma whose shot was saved by Nyoni but Murape had made a fine run into the box to hit the back of the net.
So excited about the goal was Murape that he went on wild run outside the perimeter fence to salute the DeMbare fans in the Vietnam stand.
His celebrations, however, earned him a yellow card from referee Batsirayi Muchenje.
But the yellow card did little to dampen the wild celebrations from the crowd as a win for Dynamos was now beckoning for their side with the lead.
Dynamos had been the first to come off the blocks in the game with Murape and Milton Makopa dominating in midfield while Nyoni was working overtime to thwart the raids.
Nyoni did well to parry a header by Mutuma after Augustine Mbara had whipped in a cross from the left into the box while Murape’s thunderbolt struck on the run found the goalkeeper well alert in the 26th minute.
The visitors tried to play long balls up-front but only appeared to settle after 20 minutes when they began to play a passing game that also charmed the neutrals.
But it was Dynamos who took the lead on the half hour.
Chicken Inn did not throw in the towel and in the second half they piled on the pressure following the introduction of Thomas Chimenya.
Murape had a rather subdued second half while Mukamba continued to blow hot and cold during the match while Mutuma wasted numerous chances.
But it was a refreshing attacking game from both teams as they created scoring chances but lacked precision.
Chicken Inn could, however, feel robbed of a penalty after defender George Magariro handled inside the box as he attempted to clear in the second half.
However, it was more of a ball to the defender’s hand and Muchenje deserves credit for his decision as well as when he denied Mukamba an appeal for a free kick on the edge of the box in the first half.
Dynamos’ central defence was shaky in the absence of Guthrie Zhokinyi, whose contract expired last week, but the visitors did not probe enough through the middle.
DeMbare are still battling to negotiate a new deal with Zhokinyi.
With a little adventure and courage, Chicken Inn could have punished Dynamos, especially if they had tried to use the left channel where Augustine Mbara was straying from his position and moving in too deep with the ball.
In the 75th minute Chimenya could have scored but drove his effort over the bar after he was given space inside the box.
Veteran Dynamos skipper Desmond Maringwa rose from the bench to introduce a new dimension to their game as he helped his teammates to push forward while Lloyd Mutasa also threw in promising teenager Tichaona Mabvura.
Although Mabvura was given just a few minutes on the pitch late on it was great courage for Mutasa to give the greenhorn a run.
Dynamos assistant coach Tichaona Diya said they were still worried by the lack of precision up-front although he was happy that they had bagged full points.
“We still have problems with the attack because we are failing to score.
“I think there is need to create more competition and also beef up the strikers and we have one to two targets for the mid-season window.
“However, I am happy because we are creating chances and going into the box,” said Diya.
Diya said Zhokinyi is still in their plans and could be available in the second half of the season.
“Zhokinyi will be with us but there are few issues that need to be finalised.
“There was a plan to introduce Mabvura early but we could not do that because we were under attack,” said Diya.
Now that they have achieved a top-four slot, Diya believes Dynamos will start gunning for the championship in the second half of the season.
“Our target was to get into the top four at the halfway mark and now we are third on the log. We have to fight for the championship in the second round of the league,” said Diya.
Chicken Inn are now fourth and their coach Philani Ncube is still comfortable with the position.
“So far so good and I hope we will be able to survive relegation at the end of the season.
“We have collected 23 points from the first 15 games and if we can collect another 23 in the second round then we will be safe,” said Nucbe.
Ncube felt his side were unlucky to lose the game.
“I think the referee aided Dynamos to win.
“That offence by Magariro was something that should have been a turning point for us.
“We played well and tactically and technically we were better than Dynamos but it was just not our day.
“I am not taking anything away from Dynamos because they are a good side but we were unlucky,” said Ncube.
Teams;
Dynamos: W. Arubi, T. Magorimbo, A. Mbara, G. Magariro, G. Bello, N. Arufandika (P. Khumbula 55th min) M. Murape, R. Mutuma (T. Mabvura 85th min), D. Mukamba (D. Maringwa 80th min) M. Makopa, T. Muparati
Chicken Inn: N. Nyoni, S. Banda, H. Dick, F. Chindungwe, T Goredema (N. Musvipa 72nd min), G. Goddard (P. Makanje 87th min) C. Nkomo, H. Masuku, D. Phiri, B. Mbiriri, D. Zokoto (T. Chimenya 55th min).
Online Reporter