Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT keeps getting better for impressive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League newboys MWOS after the Punters huffed and puffed, but still ground out another key victory that helped them extend their stay atop the log standings.
While it was joy in the blue and red of Norton, this was not the case with miserable Dynamos, whose woeful season has now put even the staunchest of their supporters on high alert following a 0-2 defeat by Herentals.
In a league that demotes four teams, the chances of Dynamos reaching the 40-point mark, which normally guarantees safety, are diminishing with each passing week.
Not even under-pressure coach Saul Chaminuka’s defiance could prevent Dynamos from sinking further, as bogey side Herentals became the latest team to condemn them to another defeat — their seventh in 18 games.
In yesterday’s somewhat low-profile Harare derby at Rufaro, itself played on a poor pitch, and a bad advertisement for the Premiership, skipper Tinotenda Benza gave Herentals a 25th-minute lead off a set piece before a calamitous own goal by stand-in captain Shadreck Nyahwa on the hour sealed Dynamos’ miserable afternoon.
Chaminuka, whose charges never got going, remains as defiant as he is hopeful of a miraculous escape.
“We will survive,’’ he said. “It’s a tough one to swallow. But that is football. It’s not like we did not play football, at least the window period is open. We need to get one or two experienced players to boost our strike force.”
It was another poor show from Dynamos, who had only two shots on target in the match. Victory helped Herentals bust a three-match winless run and left coach Paul Benza a happy man.
“We had failed to score goals in our last matches,” he said. “All we needed was somewhere to start from and I am happy with the win and this revives our targets of doing better than last season.”
For DeMbare, there will be more woes away from the rugged Rufaro pitch.
A Premier Soccer League disciplinary hearing is looming for them this week where they are to answer charges of misconduct that resulted in the abandonment of their game against FC Platinum at Mandava recently.
MWOS hit 40-point target, Mutasa wants more
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa had earlier revealed that their initial target was to reach the 40-point mark and ensure their safety before they could discuss the championship title.
Yesterday, the Punters needed a late strike from forgotten striker Everson Feremba to seal a 1-0 win over Bikita Minerals, which also left their unbeaten record at Ngoni intact.
A purring Mutasa will now shift focus to a strong finish that includes taking a crack at the championship on the first time of asking.
“We simply needed 40 points to ensure we survive relegation and I am happy that today we completed the mission,” he said.
“As the technical team, we are now looking at a top-eight finish in the season, but I am not sure if our employer is going to review the target or not.’’
Mutasa was not amused about the manner they laboured to get their win after spurning a host of chances, only finding the target in time added on.
Bikita Minerals finished the game with 10 men following the first-half expulsion of Chelsea Nyakope for a crude tackle from behind on Tinotenda Mutyambizi.
“The scoreline is not a true reflection of the match. We created a lot of chances, especially in the first half, but we were very wasteful,” said Mutasa.
“We are not impressed; it shows that we have a lot to work on because the season is still a long way to go despite the 40 points that we already have.
“To be honest, we survived today and this is not what we want going forward, so we have to work and address that.’’
Bikita Minerals assistant coach Arnold Jani saluted his charges despite their defeat.
“Tactically, we were okay because we had talked, planned a lot ahead of this game and even after the red card we still stood firm,” he said.
At half-time, we tweaked our plan and we came back stronger, dominated the second half and the very minute that the boys thought we were safe they lapsed concentration and we were punished.’’
Mukumba strike stuns GreenFuel
Marvellous Mukumba’s first-half strike handed Ngezi Platinum a deserved 1-0 victory over GreenFuel and condemned Rodwell Dhlakama to his first home defeat since returning to the Chisumbanje dugout.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the hosts at the Chisumbanje Arena, where the visitors looked sharper, hungrier and far more polished in every department as they keep within shouting distance of the chasing pack, nine points behind leaders MWOS.
GreenFuel, by contrast, looked disjointed and toothless in attack.
Mukumba scored the winner in the 25th minute, finishing calmly at the back post after GreenFuel goalkeeper Ashley Reyners misjudged a high ball from a corner kick. It was a soft goal to concede, and the kind of moment that defined a sluggish GreenFuel performance.
The hosts offered little in response. They failed to register a single shot on target in the first half, and their best chance fell to Clive Rupiya, who blasted over from close range after a tidy cut back from Washington Mapuwa in the 43rd minute.
This was GreenFuel’s second home loss of the season, and one that leaves Dhlakama searching for answers. Ngezi coach Takesure Chiragwi was pleased with his team’s effort and grit, praising their defensive shape and attacking intent.
“We did well to get an early goal,” he said. “We were comfortable because of that lead. Today we were much better in terms of resilience and compactness at the back.
“We created so many chances, but failed to convert. I thought we could have scored three, we missed two clear ones. But what’s important is that we collected maximum points; it gives us motivation and confidence. We’ve done ourselves a big favour winning away from home.”
Dhlakama was brutally honest in his post-match assessment.
“It was a very difficult match. It’s a game I thought could go either way,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we switched off during a corner kick and it cost us.
“That goal changed the complexion of the game. Our chances were far apart, but we could have done better. We didn’t create much, and that’s something we need to work on. It’s a wake-up call.
“We have to work harder. There are still a lot of games to play, but it’s painful losing at home.”
Online Reporter