Online Reporter
Howard Musonza in Triangle
Bikita Minerals 1–1 Dynamos
DYNAMOS let slip a golden chance to finally bag a second win this season after a dramatic penalty miss cost them full points in a tense 1–1 draw against Bikita Minerals at Gibbo Stadium on Saturday.
Skipper for the day, Shadreck Nyahwa, standing in for the injured Emmanuel Jalai, gave DeMbare the lead in the 20th minute with a powerful header from a corner delivered by Abel Gwatidzo. The set piece came after Gwatidzo had forced Bikita goalkeeper Biggie Temera into a sharp save from an audacious near post effort. Despite Dynamos going ahead, it was Bikita who had looked the livelier in the opening exchanges, and the goal came somewhat against the run of play.
The hosts hit back in the 31st minute, also from a corner. This time it was Tinashe Ruzive who rose unmarked in the box to nod home a Blessing Kagudu delivery, restoring parity and setting the tone for a compelling battle.
Dynamos coach Saul Chaminuka made two changes in the second-half, bringing on Vusa Ngwenya for Brandon Jerimani at the break and then introducing Leeroy Mavhunga for Valentine Kadonzvo on the hour mark. But the home side continued to dominate possession, with winger Tadiwanashe Murasiranwa causing all sorts of problems down the right.
Still, it was Dynamos who had the better chances in the final third.
Enasio Perezo Jnr had a shot blocked by a blatant handball from Pascal Shumbaimwe in the box, but referee Thembinkosi Sibanda waved play on, ignoring loud appeals from Dynamos players and technical staff.
Then, just three minutes later, justice seemed poised to be served when Frank Agyemang was hacked down by Chelsea Nyakope inside the area and Sibanda finally pointed to the spot.
But what followed left Dynamos hearts in their mouths.
Leeroy Mavhunga stepped up and smacked his penalty against the upright, blowing a huge chance to seal all three points.
After the final whistle, Nyahwa, the goal scorer and stand-in skipper, didn’t wait for the warm down. He ripped off his shirt and sprinted straight into the dressing room, a clear picture of frustration.
Coach Chaminuka wasn’t surprised.
“I didn’t see him, but I think he was disappointed by the penalty situation,” Chaminuka said.
“As captain, he knows he has to answer to me why he gave in to Leeroy taking the penalty instead of our usual taker.”
It wasn’t just the miss, it was who took it.
“I’m disappointed, to tell you the truth,” fumed Chaminuka.
“I don’t know why we changed our penalty taker. We do this at training, but then in games we appear like we’re joking.
I had told them, we were going to get a penalty, if not two. The whole week I was saying it because of how we play and how we attack.
“Temptation is our specialist. He takes them at training. Today I was shocked to see Leeroy take it. I almost shouted, ‘No! No! No!’ but I thought maybe the players had agreed, and sometimes, as a coach, if you interfere too much in that moment, you lose the dressing room.
But that was childish. You let the specialist do his job. Just like in Europe, they have players for these moments.”
This was Chaminuka’s fourth match in charge since replacing Lloyd Chigove. He’s still chasing his first win, having now drawn three and lost one.
“If you look at all the games we’ve drawn, we could’ve won them,” he said.
“We’re creating better chances than our opponents. We’re playing good football, but we’re not convincing in front of goal.
We need to score more. One goal isn’t enough. We need to score two or three and see if our opponents can come back from that.”
For Bikita, who continue to punch above their weight in their second PSL season, assistant coach Arnold Jani was content with the performance but lamented missed opportunities.
“I’m happy with how my boys are shaping up, you can see we are jellying into a proper team,” said Jani, standing in for head coach Wilson Mutekede who is away at the Cosafa tournament.
“The way we’re playing is good, but I’m not happy because we didn’t take all our chances. We could’ve won this match. But I’m proud of the application and the commitment.”
