DeMbare remember how to win as Mukamba returns

Veronica Gwaze, Zimpapers Sports Hub

Dynamos 1-0 MWOS

MAYBE all Dynamos ever needed was Denver “Mundikumbuke” Mukamba.

His swagger, leadership and fearlessness, throwing himself into every challenge, helped break the club’s winless streak with a narrow but vital 1–0 win over MWOS. The goal came from a 71st-minute penalty calmly slotted home by Temptation Chiwunga.

For once this season, the Harare giants gave fans a glimpse of the team they used to be.

Before kickoff, the energy inside Rufaro was electric. Anticipation surged through the crowd, and when Mukamba led his teammates to salute the Vietnam Stand, it was clear this wasn’t going to be just another game.

The match started at a brisk pace, but MWOS looked shaky, sitting back while Dynamos pushed forward with intent.

In a refreshing shift from recent outings, Dynamos were organised and balanced in their 4-3-3 formation. Emmanuel Jalai and Shadreck Nyahwa anchored the back line, keeping MWOS from finding any rhythm.

By halftime, the scoreboard was still blank, but Dynamos had already tested former keeper Martin Mapisa, several times.

In the 67th minute, Mukamba entered the fray to a standing ovation from the Vietnam Stand faithful. Within seconds, he drew a foul just outside the box, nearly scoring with the resulting free kick that whistled inches past the far post.

The match grew tense. In the 70th minute, Nyahwa picked up a second yellow card and was sent off. But instead of folding, Dynamos pressed harder.

Just a minute later, Mukamba unleashed a shot that Mapisa spilled. Defender Tafadzwa Nyabunze handled the rebound, giving Dynamos a penalty that Chiwunga buried.

The stadium exploded.
Rufaro stayed on its feet until the final whistle.

Assistant coach Thomas Ruzive, standing in for new head coach Kelvin Kaunda, couldn’t hide his pride.

“The boys responded very well from the onset, they showed a lot of character and I am happy that as coaches we could tell, which direction our play was going,” he said.

“We have won a massive three points, it goes a long way in our relegation fight and in boosting confidence in camp, going forward.

“When a team does well like this, it gives confidence to the technical department and with what we did today, I am confident that we can survive the chop.”

Going into the match, Dynamos were second from bottom with just 16 points from 23 games. They hadn’t won in seven matches, had only scored six goals all season and conceded 21. Despite the win, they remain deep in the relegation zone.

MWOS, meanwhile, are still searching for form. They’ve now gone four matches without a win, but coach Lloyd Mutasa isn’t panicking.

“They have already exceeded expectations and at this stage, all they need is for us to be patient and let them enjoy the game as they get used to topflight competition,” he said.

“We did not do well today but we are not in bad shape, we can surely pick ourselves up and bounce back to winning ways.

“We are still within range of achieving a top eight season finish, we just have to ensure that the boys restore their confidence going forward.”

Teams

Dynamos
Prince Tafiremutsa, Emmanuel Jalai, Abe Gwatidzo, Tendaishe Magwaza, Clive Mandivei, Shadreck Nyahwa, Telmore Pio, Temptation Chiwunga, Wisdom Mutasa, Jairos Kasondo, Leeroy Mavhunga

MWOS
Martin Mapisa, Tafadzwa Nyabunze, Valentine Katsande, Innocent Zambezi, Aboubakar Moffat, Tinotenda Mutyambizi, Nigel Matinha, Malvern Mudzuka, Billy Veremu, Arthur Banda, Innocent Masiiwa