Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo, [email protected]
Dynamos 2-2 Highlanders
MONGAMELI Tshuma produced a moment Rufaro will remember long after the final whistle, weaving through a crowd of Dynamos defenders before calmly finishing to cap a thrilling Battle of Zimbabwe that ended level yesterday.
The Highlanders winger cut in from the left, glided past a cluster of blue shirts and rounded goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni before sliding the ball into an empty net. For a brief spell, Bosso looked ready to carry the afternoon.
Dynamos refused to fold. They fought back for the second time through Collin Mujuru to settle a fierce contest that swung between both sides in front of a packed stadium.
Highlanders struck first late in the opening half through Never Rauzhi.
Dynamos tried to play out from the back, but Rauzhi read the pass, pounced and raced clear down the right channel. From a tight angle, he fired low across the goal and beyond Makoni to silence the home crowd.
Bosso held that lead into the break while Dynamos struggled to find rhythm in midfield.
Coach Genesis Mangombe reshaped his side immediately after half-time. He introduced Tellmore Pio, Witness Shave and Elton Njini and the change paid off almost instantly.
Less than a minute after coming on, Pio brought Dynamos level.
The substitute met a loose ball inside the box and drove a low volley that slipped past goalkeeper Reward Muza at his near post. The shot lacked power but it carried just enough pace to creep inside the upright.
The equaliser ignited the match again and Highlanders answered through Tshuma’s dazzling run.
Picking up possession on the left flank, the winger surged inside and glided through several Dynamos defenders who struggled to track him. Makoni hesitated and Tshuma kept his composure, slipping the ball into the open net to restore Bosso’s lead.
The away supporters roared as Highlanders sensed control of the contest.
Dynamos gathered themselves and pushed forward in the closing stages. With 13 minutes remaining, they found another route back.
Leroy Mavunga whipped in a dangerous freekick from near the corner flag and Mujuru connected sweetly with a first-time volley that beat Muza and levelled the score again.
Both sides pushed cautiously after that. The tempo dipped slightly as defenders tightened and midfielders guarded possession more carefully.
There was a flashpoint in stoppage time when Tshuma nudged Mujuru off the ball. Referee Thabani Ruzario flashed yellow and the match drifted toward the inevitable draw.
Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari felt the result reflected the flow of the game.
“It was a good game of football where both teams wanted to play. I think the draw was fair and the supporters enjoyed it,” he said.
Dynamos coach Mangombe praised his players for their response.
“Coming from behind twice shows character,” he said.
“It was a difficult match, but the boys adjusted in the second-half and started controlling the game better.”
The point leaves Dynamos second on the table with four points after two rounds. Highlanders sit on two points following back-to-back draws, the first coming against Bulawayo Chiefs.
Both teams now turn to midweek fixtures as the early pace of the season begins to take shape.
Teams
Dynamos: Tatenda Makoni, Shadreck Nyahwa, Jairos Kasondo (Elton Njini 46), Clive Mandivei, Christopher Nettey, Collin Mujuru, Stanley Billiat (Moses Demera 78), Frank Agyemang (Witness Shave 46), Anotidaishe Gwatidzo, Trevor Mavunga (Tellmore Pio 46), Perfect Chikwende
Highlanders: Reward Muza, Nomore Chinyerere, Mongameli Tshuma, Shepherd Mhlanga, Prince Ndlovu (Kudakwashe Mahachi 64), Andrew Mbeba, Rainsome Pavari, Tawanda Shenje, Never Rauzhi (Akim Nkomo 64), Luckmore Mutumbi (Lawrence Mhlanga 16), Benjamin Adeogun.
