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Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS coach Hebert Maruwa says sometimes it’s necessary to learn the hard way after his side slumped to a disappointing defeat to Premiership newcomers GreenFuel at the weekend.
The shock defeat was a huge setback for the Glamour Boys who are targeting to end a nine-year title drought.
Dynamos have struggled to properly establish themselves in the 2023 race that is currently dominated by traditional rivals Highlanders.
They have spurned opportunities to win games and on Sunday they even missed a penalty before conceding a second half goal that denied them a pointy against a side that was wallowing deep in the relegation zone.
Having won three of their last four games and drawing the other against champions FC Platinum, GreenFuel could have been a lesser worry.
“Maybe it’s an issue of complacency creeping in. Of course, it was a difficult match but we had our chances to win it and we even missed a penalty,” said Maruwa.
“The defeat was a lesson to the boys. Sometimes you learn the hard way and, in some instances, its necessary as well. But now we need to start winning again so that we keep pace with the teams at the top. There are still more games to be played this season and we don’t have to lose focus.”
Dynamos have operated in phases this campaign. Their lack of consistency has provided worry to their supporters, as a run of good results is often followed by a period of sluggishness.
But had Dynamos done enough homework about GreenFuel, they should have stressed to play with no margin of error.
The Chisumbanje-based outfit has been on a revival since the arrival of experienced coach Rodwell Dhlakama.
GreenFuel have since moved out of the drop zone with the stunning win.
Green Fuel did not show any signs of being intimidated and took the game to their more established opponents.
Dynamos had their best chance to seize the initiative, when the referee Brighton Chimene pointed to the spot following a clumsy challenge on their defender Emmanuel Jalai.
However, Dynamos’ regular penalty taker Donald Dzvinyai blazed his effort over the bar just before the half time break.
The hosts grew in confidence in the free-flowing second period, as both teams went pound-for-pound, with Xolisani Moyo and Naison Takawira edging Shandirwa and Mudadi in the midfield battle.
Dynamos could have taken the lead in the 68th minute but teenage striker Elton Chikona unbelievably blasted his shot high from close range after being teed up by Shandirwa.
Dynamos tried to find a breakthrough but the pair of Tatenda Gora and Legends Football Academy loanee Tashinga Pfende were solid at the back.
Then DeMbare paid dearly for the missed opportunity when Nqobile Ndlovu scored the only goal of the match in the second half.
Collins Dhuwa picked Ndlovu with a pinpoint cross and the big striker obliged by perfectly planting his header in the Dynamos net.
“I wouldn’t want to crucify anyone for the defeat,” said Maruwa.
“Donald Dzvinyai is one of our proven penalty takers. He has scored from the spot before and I would want to believe it wasn’t his day.
“It happens in football. But what’s important is that he should not let that affect his mentality. He has to quickly forget about the incident, pick himself up and move on,” said Maruwa.
Dynamos dropped one rung into fifth place on the log standings, with 25 points from 16 games. They trail log leaders Highlanders by nine points, going to the half-way stage of the campaign.
They play Yadah in their next home game at Barbourfields this Sunday.
Fixtures:
Saturday: Chicken Inn v Hwange (Luveve), Manica Diamonds v Bulawayo Chiefs (Gibbo), ZPC Kariba v Cranborne Bullets (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Sheasham (Mandava)
Sunday: Ngezi Platinum Stars v Highlanders (Baobab), Black Rhinos v Simba Bhora (Bata), Dynamos v Yadah (Barbourfields), Triangle v GreenFuel (Gibbo), Herentals v CAPS Utd (Mandava)
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