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Cletus Mushanawani in MUTARE
Buffaloes . . . . (0) 0
Dynamos . . . . (1) 1
DEFENDING champions Dynamos remained in control of the Castle Lager Premiership race, showing great character to edge bogey side Buffaloes at Sakubva yesterday, and shoot to the top of the table. DeMbare, who were humiliated 0-1 at the National Sports Stadium by the Mutare outfit earlier this year, came into this match under intense pressure after surrendering pole position to ZPC Kariba on Saturday.
But a priceless goal by Washington Pakamisa, in the eighth minute, powered them to a big victory.
Although they had the luxury of missing a glut of chances through Pakamisa and second half substitute, Tafadzwa Rusike, DeMbare still managed to hold on to the lead and bag maximum points that saw them reclaim pole position.
Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa was quick to point out that the three points collected against Buffaloes were important in their quest to win the championship for a fourth straight year.
DeMbare are two points clear on 49 points, with five games remaining in the season, but crucially have a home game next while ZPC Kariba face a tough away tie against in-form FC Platinum.
“It was a scrappy match but we managed to do our homework well and collected the three points, which counts the most. The way matches are being played clearly shows that there are no longer small teams in the league.
“We need to continue putting more effort in each match.
“ZPC Kariba, being the new boys in town, are taking no prisoners and this will surely keep us on our toes to do better. We hope that at the end of the season the best team will win the championship,” said Pasuwa.
Buffaloes threatened to run riot from the first whistle with veteran, Shepherd Nkata, shooting wide as early as the first minute.
Buffaloes’ attacks appeared to unnerve young DeMbare goalkeeper, Tatenda Mukuruva, who had to be attended to by the team’s medics having picked a knock during Buffaloes’ first-minute raid.
The young keeper later settled and was well shielded by skipper of the day, Augustine Mbara, and the tough-tackling Temba Ndlovu.
Having survived the early scare, Dynamos took the game to their opponents and Rodreck Mutuma nearly jerked his club’s fans from their seats with a header in the fifth minute that went just wide with Buffaloes’ shot-stopper, Itayi Chiwara, well beaten.
However, there was nothing to stop Pakamisa in the eight minute.
He received a defence-splitting pass from the impressive Mutuma and did not make any mistake to send DeMbare fans wild into celebration.
Action continued swinging from one end to the other, but goals remained elusive, despite the clear-cut chances that DeMbare created.
Referee Jimmy Makwanda, who appeared to have been overwhelmed by the big occasion, let a number of dangerous tackles go unpunished.
The second half saw Buffaloes returning in search of an equaliser, but the uncompromising Dynamos defence would not budge.
Pasuwa proved a good tactician by bringing in Rusike in place of Masimba Mambare. who is still struggling to find his rhythm, after a lengthy injury absence.
The move saw Dynamos running rings around Buffaloes defence and Walter Mukanga nearly beat Chiwara with a glancing header in the 65th minute.
Rusike then shook his head in disbelief after his shot missed the target, by a few inches, after a neat exchange of passes involving Mutuma.
Buffaloes’ Jacob Muzokomba’s booming shot went wide in the 73rd minute.
The introduction of Admire Dzumbunu for Ray Mwenga in the 77th minute added a bit of life to the Buffaloes midfield but Dynamos nearly killed the match as a contest in the 81st minute when Pakamisa’s shot hit the upright and bounced back into play.
Lloyd Katongomanya was lucky to escape with a yellow card after his two-legged crude tackle on right-back, Oscar Machapa.
Dynamos’ livewire winger, Ronald Chitiyo, who had a subdued game, almost grabbed another goal for the defending champion but his trademark curling shot went wide in time added on.
Buffaloes coach, Moses Chunga, conceded defeat.
“My defenders’ blunder cost us. We allowed Dynamos to score a silly goal through our defenders’ schoolboy error. We should have, at least, come out with a draw.
“We will continue working on our weaknesses, but our target of reaching the top eight is achievable at the end of the season. The race is still on and we hope we will make it,” said Chunga.
While Buffaloes left Sakubva Stadium with no points, they had something to smile at after attracting the biggest crowd so far this season to their home matches.
Teams
Buffaloes:
I Chiwara; M Machazani; K Thembani; L Chakoroma; P Matizanadzo; P Chandisaita; S Nkata (P Thembani, 57th min); L Katongomara; K Juwakinyu; J Muzokomba, R Mwenga (A Dzumbunu, 77th min).
Dynamos:
T Mukuruva; O Machapa; O Mushure; T Ndlovu; A Mbara; B Moyo; W Mukanga; R Chitiyo; M Mambare (T Rusike, 58th min); R Mutuma; W Pakamisa (P Kumbula, 92nd min).
Online Reporter