Online Reporter
Cutworth Masango and Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT had felt like ages since Dynamos had last tasted victory at Rufaro.
And in the process, the Harare giants slipped from the top four on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log standings. But the return of skipper Shadreck Nyahwa from suspension and the rare inclusion of midfielder Clive Mandivei in the starting team coincided with Dynamos turning on a dominant display for a comfortable 3-0 win over their former coach Saul Chaminuka, now in charge of TelOne.
It was also back to winning ways for 2023 champions Ngezi Platinum Stars, who won their battle of platinum miners with FC Platinum 2-0 at Mandava, while Simba Bhora hammered Manica Diamonds 3-0 at Wadzanai and Chicken Inn’s stuttering season continued following another goalless draw, this time against Herentals at Barbourfields.
Third-placed Ngezi found their win through MacDonald Eddisone’s 39th- minute opener in his first start of the season for the Mhondoro side.
The visitors then made sure of all points when Polite Moyo unleashed a 63rd-minute half volley.
In Shamva, Harisson Masina grabbed his fifth goal of the season, Namibian McCartney Nawaseb weighed in with the second and Lawrence Chaziya scored his first goal in Simba Bhora colours as the 2024 champions put Manica Diamonds to the sword.
Kaka shakes off DeMbare pressure
Given that all the five teams above them had been winning with some regularity, pressure was gradually mounting on Dynamos coach Genesis “Kaka’’ Mangombe and his sixth-placed side to keep within touching distance of the leading pack.
And DeMbare responded by completing a league double over TelOne in comprehensive fashion.
Skipper Nyahwa, who had missed their midweek draw against FC Hunters at the same venue due to suspension, opened the scoring in the eighth minute before DeMbare added more goals via the in-form Frank Agyemang (38th minute) and sealed their win through winger Leeroy Mavhunga.
Victory takes Dynamos’ tally to 29 points, but they remained in sixth place.
Nyahwa headed from a Mavhunga corner.
Ghanian Agyemang made it 2-0 after being set up by Anotida Gwatidzo, taking his strikes to eight goals for the season.
TelOne had chances of their own, hitting the upright in the 35th minute, but failed to convert.
Mavhunga sealed the win in stoppage time after being assisted by goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni.
Mangombe said his men had stuck to the game plan.
“We did our homework well. We worked on our defence so that we don’t concede. There were no breakdowns and very few mistakes,” Mangombe said.
“We said we would hit them on the counter since they have slow defenders and it worked. If we were more clinical, we could have scored four or five.
TelOne coach Saul Chaminuka felt his side conceded soft goals.
“We gave away soft goals and were 2-0 down at half-time. We had our chances but failed to convert,” he said.
“For their first goal, no one picked up their man at the corner. That’s basic.”
TelOne made changes at the break, bringing on Kelvin Chigara and Leeroy Murape, but could not find a way back.
Gamecocks woes continue
Chicken Inn’s woes continued unabated when they were held by visiting Herentals.
They should thank their defence of captain Itai Mabhunu, Mpumelelo Bhebhe, Sefu Louisom, Farai Tsinakwadi and Tyrese Waungua that was resolute.
The defenders thwarted several Herentals raids, with league top goalscorer Ralph Kawondera appearing hungrier for goals.
His 75th-minute header could have made a difference had he directed it well on target.
There were also notable contributions in the visitors’ attack that featured Tinashe Mupumha, Milton Chimedza, Innocent Benza, Tinashe Mazambani and Miguel Fieldman.
Hunters hold MWOS
Despite failing to match their 2025 standards and dropping from being contenders to a middle-of-the-table side, MWOS head coach Lloyd Mutasa is not pressing the panic button.
He insists that they are still in a good position to bounce back into title contention.
However, the manner in which the Punters fluffed chances at home yesterday left a lot of questions, while also casting doubts about their title credentials.
MWOS thought they had found a goal in the 79th minute, but referee Tafadzwa Zhou disallowed the goal, citing that Arthur Banda had handled the ball before taking a shot.
A minute before time, MWOS, still looking determined, broke loose upfront when second half substitute Billy Veremu cut through the Hunters’ backline to locate Banda, who took a weak shot into the keeper’s hands.
Hunters were to increase urgency, launching two successive attacks, but they failed to breach Tedious Baye’s goal.
The newboys coach, Nesbert “Yabo’’ Saruchera, once again left the pitch ruing lost chances despite his side putting up a good show.
“As always in the most recent games, we play very well and you can even see that we are improving with each outing, but we are still lacking on the finishing,” said Saruchera.
“Our boys are still young and top-flight confidence is still low, they are learning and we have to be patient, but ensuring that we survive relegation.”
For MWOS, Mutasa feels that his side came to the party late and gave their opponents room to boss them around.
