Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
ZPC Kariba were in no mood to play, hosts Dynamos played into their hands and the result was a drab draw in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Rufaro yesterday.
The visitors looked comfortable playing for a draw against DeMbare who are still unbeaten this season.
But they almost went to the extremes. The attitude by Newman Mashipe’s charges could fit the bill of anti-football tactics, especially in the second half where some of their players spent more time on the floor than on the ball.
But Dynamos, who needed maximum points to close the gap at the top, were clueless at most as they had no idea how to deal with the situation.
Consequently, a large section of the Glamour Boys fans left the stadium convinced it was two points dropped at home, and they could not hide the disappointment when they refused to salute their team at the end of the match.
Dynamos had only themselves to blame for failing to collect maximum points yesterday.
They have not won in their last three outings, and they missed the opportunity to close the gap at the top, especially after log leaders CAPS United won at Highlanders to extend their lead at the top of the table yesterday.
DeMbare coach Genesis Mangombe admitted they fell short, especially when going forward. DeMbare controlled the match but could not fashion out clear-cut scoring opportunities.
“I think our first half was okay, we dominated possession, but we lacked that intensity going forward,” said Mangombe.
“Also, we didn’t create clear chances, which I thought we should have buried.
“But now, in terms of ball retention and keeping possession, we are spot on. When playing ZPC Kariba, you don’t score easily.
“They actually try to disrupt the system in terms of some of the delaying tactics, which we saw, and trying to disturb the rhythm.
“But at half-time, we said we want to change the way we are playing, in terms of our application psychologically.”
ZPC Kariba came with a clear game plan to prevent Dynamos from playing the ball in the visitors’ half.
The Kariba side erected a solid defensive shield that kept DeMbare at bay for the better part of the afternoon.
They let the Glamour Boys enjoy the ball, but then the home team had no clue how to breakdown the opponents’ defence.
Dynamos improved slightly after the break.
They made a huge shout for a penalty when Tellmore Pio’s attempt was blocked by Kelvin Gwao inside the box, but the referee adjudged there was no handball.
DeMbare captain Shadreck Nyahwa then nearly caught goalkeeper Future Sibanda unawares with a rising volley five minutes after the restart.
However, Dynamos, who were coming from an intense midweek draw against Scottland, could not quite replicate the kind of fight, and the coach blamed it on complacency.
“We were not spot on, we were not hungry, maybe in terms of wanting to win the game. So we said we need to change our attitude and apply ourselves positively, so that we have entries into the opponent’s box, and you see our second half improved.
“We really tried our best to attack the opponents, but it was quite unfortunate that we didn’t have a goal in the last 45 minutes.
“But at the end of the day, I thought we should have collected maximum points in this game,” said Mangombe.
It took ZPC Kariba 55 minutes to test Dynamos keeper Tatenda Makoni.
Striker Charles Munyanyi benefited from a botched offside trap, and his low shot was parried out for a corner kick.
Makoni was again called to action after Wayne Kamurai targeted the near post with a grounder, with seven minutes remaining on the clock.
Other than that ZPC Kariba spent most of the second half slowing down play.
Their goalkeeper Sibanda was booked for time-wasting.
So serious was the tactics that the referee at some point ended up calling for the stretcher rather than the ZPC Kariba medical team when their players were down.
Their coach Mashipe was satisfied with how the match panned out, despite it being their fifth stalemate from nine games this season.
ZPC Kariba moved into 10th place on the log standings with 11 points.
“A point away, playing against Dynamos. It’s a point gained,” he said.
“I’m happy with the way the boys played. Dynamos played well. Their chances faced off.
“They were controlling the game. But to my boys, I’m delighted with the way they played. We were more organised, especially defensive-wise.
“But it’s just an area of concern going forward. We are still working on because we haven’t been scoring goals,” said Mashipe.
Teams:
Dynamos: Tatenda Makoni, Christopher Nettey ,Anotidaishe Gwatidzo, Hastings Chapusha, Collin Mujuru, Shadreck Nyahwa, Frank Agyemang (Witness Shave, 75th min), Jairos Kasondo (Leroy Mavunga, 59th min), Wisdom Mutasa (Perfect Chikwende, 59th mins), Stanley Billiat (Witness Shave, 75th min)
ZPC Kariba: Future Sibanda, Kelvin Gwao, Ishmael Muroiwa, Nigel Kupara, Kuzivakwashe Madima, Collen Muleya, Vitalis Chidzero (Marlvin Whata, 81st min) , Genius Mutungamiri (Fanuel Shoko, 60th min), Clive Dzingai, Charles Munyanyi, Charles Munyanyi, Wayne Kamurai
