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There was a minute of silence in memory of the late national hero Edson Ncube before the match which was watched by about 7 000 fans, kicked off.
Two first half goals by Murape Murape and man of the match Denver Mukamba separated the two teams thereby bringing relief to the Dynamos camp after their recent 6-0 drubbing in Tunisia. Even the refreshing sight of Dynamos players celebrating each of the two goals with their fans signalled a return to normalcy in relations between players and supporters.
Yesterday’s victory for DeMbare— which was the Glamour Boys’ third win in four league matches after losing one match to Monomotapa—must have left coach Callisto Pasuwa breathing a huge sigh of relief given that his team trooped into Sakubva still haunted by the historic thrashing in Tunis.
The Harare giants managed to unsettle their hosts early when Murape propelled his team into the lead just two minutes into the match. Murape sent a volley that beat goalkeeper Tawanda Mafunga after the Dynamos veteran striker took advantage of poor communication between Buffaloes defenders Danani Chinowawa and Philip Chandisaita.
Pasuwa’s charges doubled the scoreline nine minutes later after a neat exchange of passes between Roderick Mutuma and Denver Mukamba culminated in Mukamba slotting home a blistering shot from just outside the box.
The Glamour Boys were enjoying the support of die hard fans as they commanded more support than their hosts, were all over the army side and with a little bit of precision could have made it three when exciting Mukamba’s long range missed the target by inches. Buffaloes hardly created any meaningful scoring chances in the first half and only came back a better side after the break.
The army side, whose strikers seemed to have gone to sleep, were guilty of fluffing the few scoring chances they created.
Although Dynamos got the three points they wanted yesterday, fatigue was evident among their players, most of whom hardly withstood physical challenges from opponents while defender back Partson Jaure, linkman Milton Makopa and striker Martin Vengesai all suffered groin injuries.
Pasuwa was a relieved man after the match and told journalists in a post match interview that he is focusing on each game as it comes. Pasuwa bemoaned the increasing number of injured players in his team.
“Maybe we were just trying to bring back confidence after that heavy defeat in Tunisia. We made sure we won this match at all costs because we seriously needed to restore the confidence both in the players and the fans. I am happy we managed to do just that.
“We really cannot talk about our intention to win the league at the moment but we just have to focus on each match as it comes. It is also unfortunate that we now have a growing number of injuries in the team and that might affect us in the coming few weeks. However, I hope we they will get fit soon,” he said.
Buffaloes coach Saul Chaminuka, who is now under fire from Mutare soccer fans after failing to win a single match at home from the three they have played so far, expressed confidence that his team will certainly improve on their performance at home.
“I think our performance at home leaves a lot to be desired. We are playing well each time we are away but surprisingly we are failing to deliver when we are playing before our own home crowd.
However, this is just the beginning and I just hope we will put our act together so that fans start celebrating our victories here at home.
“In today’s match we just lost concentration when it mattered most. Those two goals were conceded because of poor communication and loss of concentration. Anyway that is the game of football. Dynamos got their chances and made the most out of the chances they created,” said a visibly perturbed Chaminuka.
Buffaloes have four points after winning one match away at Morris Depot against Black Mambas and settling for a draw at Sakubva against Highlanders.
Teams
Buffaloes: T Mafunga; T Ndlovu; P Alfasi; D Chinowawa; J Jambo; E Dzumbunu; P Chandisaita; P Matizanadzo; R Mwenga, B Chirere; P Bamusi:
Dynamos: W Arubi; P Jaure; G Bello; T Magorimbo; G Zhokinyi; M Makopa; T Muparati; D Mukamba; M Murape; M Vengesai; R Mutuma (T Chinyama);
Online Reporter