DeMbare feel Hwange heat

double wilt under the simmering Hwange temperatures after a tightly-contested Castle Lager Premier League soccer match played before a roaring crowd yesterday.
The former champions needed maximum points to continue breathing down the neck of league pacesetters FC Platinum who have now opened up a three-point lead at the top of the table after edging relegation threatened Shabanie Mine 1-0 at Mandava yesterday.

Dynamos controlled the proceedings throughout the match but for all their sweat and determination, their 770km long trip from the capital could only produce a point as Chipangano refused to be intimidated at their favourite hunting ground.
The Harare giants drew their weapons as early as the first minute with a lovely combination by Tawanda Muparati and Denver Mukamba resulting in Tawanda Muparati being fouled at the edge of the Hwange box.

From the resultant free-kick, Milton Makopa’s scorching drive was smothered by goalkeeper Petros Mhari who went on to make some crucial saves for the coalminers later in the match.
The miners response came after five minutes when Nkosana Siwela, their most consistent player this season, waltzed his way past David Kutyauripo on the left flank before releasing Andrew Tshuma who, however, found the visitors goalminder Washington Arubi alert to deal with his snap shot, from the edge of the box.
Skilful Martin Vengesayi continued to lead the DeMbare raids into the Hwange half and after 10 minutes his mazy run on the left flank came to naught after his defence-splitting pass was missed by

Mukamba and Malajila with the vocal Dynamos fans already celebrating a goal. Vengesayi then had the best chance to find the opener for his side in the 20th minute when he broke loose on the left flank and came face-to-face with Mhari but he could only watch in disbelief as his volley sailed across the crossbar.
Hwange continued to skate on thin ice as they let Dynamos throw all the punches at them and had to rely on the agility of Mhari in the 30th minute as the vastly improved youngster acrobatically tipped

a Malajila flashing header over the bar for a corner.
When Hwange finally decided to come out of their shell towards the end of the first half, they almost grabbed a priceless goal after the gangling Tongai Magwendere was allowed a free header inside the Dynamos danger zone but his effort whistled past the left upright with Arubi wrong-footed.

On the stroke of half-time, Vengesayi thought he had grabbed the much-needed goal for Dynamos but his effort was ruled out by Bulawayo referee Philani Ncube after he was adjudged to have controlled the ball with his hand before rolling it into the nets.
The decision infuriated the DeMbare fans who pelted the match officials with missiles as they went into the dressing rooms at half-time.

Hwange’s midfield magician Nkosana Siwela fluffed a golden opportunity to silence the Dynamos fans a minute from the breather but he blazed his effort way off target after a clever set up by Magwendere.

Dynamos coach Callisto Pauswa then brought in veteran Murape Murape in the 62nd minute for the visibly tired Denver Mukamba.
The substitution added more sting to the DeMbare attack as Murape could have turned provider five minutes later when he beat Munyaradzi Mungadze for speed on the right flank before crossing for another substitute Leo Kurauzvione whose glancing header drew the save of the afternoon from Mhari.

For everything that they threw at the Hwange goal area, Dynamos were lucky not to fall victim to a sucker punch and have to reserve a bottle of champagne for Kutyauripo who heroically scooped Fransesco Zekumbawere’s grounder out of danger deep into injury time as the coalminers could have simply broken the hearts of the away fans with a very late goal.

Hwange team manager Tennant Chilumba was content.
“Dynamos are a good side and I am happy with the draw as the game was very tight,” he said.

Dynamos assistant coach Tonderayi Ndiraya said he wanted to talk to his players first.
Teams
Hwange

P. Mhari, T. Sibelo, M. Mungadze (D. Boriwondo 89th minute), O. Moyo, G. Ndhlovu, A. Katebe (O. Mpofu 61st minute), A. Tshuma, N. Siwela (G. Zulu 68th minute), R. Chinyengetere, T. Magwendere, F. Zekumbawere.
Dynamos
W. Arubi, G. Magariro, D. Kutyauripo, T. Magorimbo, M. Makopa (L. Kurazvione 38th minute), M. Vengesayi (N. Alifandika 78th minute), T. Muparati, D. Mukamba (M. Murape 62nd minute), G. Zhokinyu, A. Gutu, C. Malajila.

Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Weekly Log Table and results (Week 27)
Results
Kiglon 0, Monoz 1; Hwange 0, Dynamos 0; FC Platinum 1, Shabanie 0; Motor Action 0, Shooting Stars 0; Highlanders 2, Gunners 1; Masvingo 0, Zim Saints 0; CAPS 4, Blue Ribbon 1; Chicken Inn 1, B. Mambas 2

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
FC Platinum	27	15	7	5	39	19	52
Dynamos	27	14	7	6	37	15	49
Motor Action	27	11	12	4	28	14	45
Hwange	27	12	8	7	23	18	44
Highlanders	27	12	6	9	27	21	42
Gunners	27	11	8	8	33	25	41
Caps United	27	11	6	10	43	32	39
Chicken Inn	27	8	12	7	30	20	36
Blue Ribbon	27	8	11	8	31	34	35
Monoz	27	6	14	7	25	28	32
Black Mambas	27	9	5	13	27	38	32
Masvingo	27	7	10	10	27	38	31
Shabanie	27	6	10	11	26	42	28
Shooting Stars	27	6	6	15	25	41	24
Kiglon	27	5	9	13	22	42	24
Zim Saints	27	4	11	12	19	35	23