Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Dynamos 0-0 FC Platinum
MISSION accomplished.
That was Kelvin Kaindu’s calm but loaded message as relief swept through Rufaro yesterday when giants Dynamos finally secured their Premiership safety with a tense goalless draw against FC Platinum.
The release was instant. Supporters who had spent months watching their season unravel broke into song and dance, grateful the nightmare had not swallowed their club. After a year marked by boycotts, empty seats and frayed tempers, the single point felt like a long overdue painkiller.
They wanted the ordeal ended quickly. When added time dragged, impatient voices rose over referee Thabani Rozario, and a few let their frustration spill into jeers and flying objects. But the whistle eventually came, and with it came survival.
Kaindu smiled through it all. He made it clear that a club of Dynamos’ stature should never be in a position where mere survival demands celebration, but he also knew the magnitude of what had been achieved.
The Zambian coach had inherited a side drowning in the lower reaches of the table. An 11 match unbeaten run hauled them from 17th to 12th in one of the most suffocating relegation fights the league has seen. They closed the season on 39 points, tied with fellow giants Highlanders and 2015 champions Chicken Inn, who also confirmed safety with a 1-1 draw. Triangle and Manica Diamonds lived to fight another day on 38 points.
GreenFuel, Bikita Minerals and Yadah sank, joining Kwekwe United in relegation.
Kaindu’s rescue act fit the description he had given when he first walked into the dressing room. He said then that Dynamos needed a miracle. Yesterday, he said the miracle had happened.
“First of all, it was a very difficult decision for me to make to come and join Dynamos, looking at the position where Dynamos was,” he said.
“I think I had about three or four clubs that probably wanted me to join them. But I looked at Dynamos and the points that they had.
“One important thing is that sometimes when you are a child of God, you move in the direction of God. And the Lord says, go to Dynamos. I looked at the way the Lord goes.
“Honestly, I think this is a miracle. There are people who say there is no miracle in football. But what we have witnessed today for Dynamos to survive, honestly, it’s a miracle.”
They were one of eight teams balancing on the edge going into Super Sunday. They only needed to avoid defeat, and did exactly that on an afternoon where both sides carved out chances but could not find the finish.
Warriors coach Marian “Mario” Marinica watched from the stands beside management team member Shariff Mussa. FC Platinum controlled much of the ball and switched play confidently, but DeMbare still produced moments that could have swung the contest.
In the 14th minute, Jairos Kasondo slipped a neat ball to Leeroy Mavunga, who dragged his shot wide. On the opposite end, Jarrison Selemani almost surprised Prince Tafiremutsa with a rising strike from distance that skimmed over the bar. Tafiremutsa then saved Dynamos in the 78th minute when he blocked Thubelihle Jubane’s close range effort.
For FC Platinum, it was a curtain call. It was confirmed before kickoff that coach Norman Mapeza was stepping down after more than a decade at the club, and he used his post-match remarks to sign off.
“I’m stepping down from my post as head coach of FC Platinum, so this is my last game today.
“I’ve been at FC Platinum for the past ten and a half years. I think what I didn’t do, I don’t have to explain to anybody. But this is my last game for FC Platinum today, so I’m stepping down.
“Then coming to the game, I think it was a good game of football. First half, I think Dynamos had good opportunities. In the second half, I think that opportunity we got and we ended up missing.
“That was our situation, I think, for the whole of the season. We had opportunities, but you don’t need ten opportunities to win a game of football. Just that opportunity maybe could have made us one.
“But look, at the end of the day, it’s a nil all draw. I’m here for the boys, they worked so hard. If you look at the squad, most of these guys are new.”
Teams
Dynamos
Prince Tafiremutsa, Emmanuel Jalai, Abel Gwatidzo, Clive Mandivei, Issak Mahommed, Tellmore Pio, Vusa Ngwenya (K. Madera, 88th min), Frank Agyemang, Jairos Kasondo (F. Hammond, 80th min), Leeroy Mavunga (T. Chiwunga, 80th min)
FC Platinum
David Bizabani, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Misheck Ngwenya, Nickson Nyasulu, Thubelihle Ndlovu, Enock Karembo, Hagiazo Magaya, Dylan Nchito (J. Ngulube, 85th min), Vincent Nyangulu (T. Jubani, 46th min), Oscar Bhebhe, Jarrison Selemani (D. Marowa, 64th min).
