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Fungai Muderere, in BULAWAYO
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
WHEN it mattered the most to keep the momentum going, Dynamos coach Herbert “Jampano” Maruwa and his players could only scratch their heads in disbelief after playing a goalless draw with Hwange at Barbourfields yesterday.
Just when DeMbare supporters had started to believe that the good times were finally rolling in after a 5-1 rout of Yadah at the same venue last weekend, the football gods had other ideas.
Hwange held on for dear life in the late stages of the game with DeMbare pressing high up in the pitch in search of a goal that would have made the long journey back to Harare a much more comfortable one. But that was not to be.
A draw may be considered a fair result for any coach but with the amount of pressure Maruwa is under, it’s not the kind of result that would make life easier.
“It was a tough match. They stayed back hoping to get us on the counter. They got their chances and we got ours but we both failed. However, we could have won the game. It’s not that we are not consistent, we are in competition. We are not at an easy stage. Some teams are fighting relegation and others are vying for the championship and we are in the top four,” said Maruwa.
He added: ” We need to continue picking up points. Even the log leaders (Highlanders) dropped points. So, it’s game on.”
DeMbare, who have in their last seven games posted four wins, two draws and lost once took their points tally to 29 points, nine behind their old-time nemesis Bosso.
Chipangano head coach Nation Dube, who has watched his charges go on a four-game win-less streak, reckoned it was a priceless point gained on the road.
“It’s a valuable point for us considering we were playing opponents who were coming from a massive 5-1 victory. It’s a point that we think will help us. It’s a tough league but we are happy about how our boys played,” said Dube giving praise to their veteran player and team captain Cannan Nkomo.
The speedy Nkomo was named Zimbabwe Television Network (ZTN) man of the match courtesy of his breathtaking show in the middle of the park for the coal miners.
The match did not live up to its billing as the two sides starved fans of exciting action in the first 15 minutes of the match.
On the 19th minute mark, with the DeMbare rearguard in sixes and sevens, Hwange’s Kluivert Tshuma poked his effort over the bar.
Three minutes later, Shadreck Nyahwa thought he had made it count for his club after he tapped in a fine Tanaka Shandirwa cross but he was adjudged to be offside.
After 30 minutes of play, Tendai Manditife missed a glorious chance in a one-on-one situation as he sent his left footed effort over the bar with DeMbare fans already up to celebrate a goal.
This was after Manditife, DeMbare captain Emmanuel Jalai and Finland-bound Elton Chikona had enjoyed some good combination play.
With Manditife struggling to find his rhythm, he was pulled out for Keith Madera in the 47th minute.
Six minutes later Chipangano felt hard done after their penalty appeal was turned down by referee Philani Ncube.
In the 54th minute, Hwange were forced to make an injury -inspired substitution pulling out Tshuma for new signing Hamilton Gomba.
On the hour mark, the Glamour Boys started bossing around their opponents, playing a brilliant passing game, only to be let down by their final third.
DeMbare remained stationed in fourth position while Hwange are 12th with 21 points in the bag.
Online Reporter