Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TWO classic second-half goals from Wisdom Mutasa and Obriel Chirinda put the icing on the famous Castle Lager Premier Soccer Harare derby, but there was no winner between CAPS United and Dynamos at Rufaro yesterday.
Mutasa had risen from the bench to give DeMbare the lead off a well-struck effort on the turn after a goalless first half, but CAPS United did not take time to find a leveller via a curling volley from bustling striker Chirinda.
On a day when yet another strong crowd turned up at Rufaro, underlying the derby’s resurgence which started with the reverse fixture, both sets of fans left satisfied with the draw which they felt was “a fair result’’.
The atmosphere was electric from kick off, with Dynamos on the front foot.
In the fifth minute, Perfect Chikwende delivered a cut-back for Ben Daouda Sidibe, but the Burkinabe forward dragged his shot wide.
By the 12th minute, the referee had his cards out for Dynamos right-back Christopher Nettey and CAPS left-back Nyasha Gurende for late tackles.
CAPS should have led in the 14th minute when Chirinda found himself one-on-one, but hesitation allowed Dynamos centre-backs to recover.
Ishmael Wadi was a constant menace, beating his marker with quick feet and earning successive standing ovations.
In the 25th minute, he thought he had scored from a Davison Marowa cross, but referee Thabani Ruzario ruled it out for offside.
Mutasa replaced Godknows Dzakpasu at the restart, while Kudzai Chigwida came on for Talent Chamboko.
It soon paid off for DeMbare in the 59th minute when Mutasa unleashed a thunderbolt from distance to beat goalkeeper Victor James.
CAPS responded instantly.
Carefully dismantling Dynamos’ midfield, Chirinda found the cancellation in the 61st minute.
Tensions simmered thereafter, with Wadi lucky to escape a second yellow after shoving Mujuru, while fans started whistling from the stands.
CAPS coach Takesure Chiragwi then withdrew Wadi for Chrispin Mugalu, who went close in the 81st minute, but Tatenda Makoni was equal to the task.
Chiragwi felt his charges had not played to his expectations.
“This is not our usual game; we got our moments but couldn’t convert. I am happy with a point,” he said.
Dynamos coach Aristides Cioaba was impressed despite the draw.
“We had a fantastic game, three or four clear chances that we created, but unfortunately our finishing was not up to scratch,” he said.
“Our plan was to collect three points by dominating the midfield and we managed to do that, but the final pass could not come so this is something that we need to go and work on.
“We need to work on our attacking, you see some of our forwards have injuries like Sidibe was not very good today, while Frank Agyemang was out (injured).’’
Hardrock dig in for PSL tittle race
Sambulo Simelane tore TelOne apart as he inspired second-placed Hardrock to a comprehensive 4-1 win at Chahwanda.
The Hardrock wide attacker struck twice in eight minutes, first pouncing on a shocking Panashe Marovanyika blunder and then capitalising on another defensive collapse to set Hardrock onto their victory path.
Yesterday’s win meant the miners completed a double over TelOne in their Midlands derby fixtures.
In yet another schoolboy error, the 19-year-old Marovanyika dived for a loose ball, but failed to hold it, as it slipped through his hands for an alert Simelane to pounce.
Evans Katema scored the consolation goal for TelOne, who finished the game with 10 men after Nqobizitha Masuku was sent off for a second bookable offence in added time.
Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu lauded his team’s patience as they took time to get a breakthrough.
“I think it’s a good win for us,” he said. “Though not an easy game. They came here to defend. Tactically disciplined. It took us a lot of time to penetrate and be able to score. We saw a lot of hard work from Simelane who gave us two goals.
“In the second half we had to make some changes. Rested some of the guys that have been playing regularly. We dropped the momentum a bit, hence conceding a very soft goal.
“But we responded and 4-1 is a big win for us in a derby. It’s good for the team.’’
TelOne coach Joel Lupahla acknowledged the tough task that was before them.
“I think it was going to be difficult coming here. They’ve got a very good side,” he said.
“They’ve got international players that are equally good. So, it was going to be a tall order for us coming here.
“We had a 19-year-old goalkeeper because our first choice is suspended.
“So, asking him to come here to Chahwanda, it was going to be a tall order for him also, but I’m proud of what he did. I know he made a mistake that led to a goal, but at this stage it becomes difficult because we are trying to play for survival.
“And for survival you need to be winning games. We’ve lost two games, which is not good, but we still have got a big chance. We need to start winning games.”
Birthday blues for Ndiraya as Gamecocks draw
Tonderai Ndiraya’s birthday celebrations were left without the perfect finishing touch after Chicken Inn failed to give their coach the result he would have wanted following a 0-0 against MWOS at Luveve.
The occasion had all the ingredients for a memorable celebration, with the Gamecocks hoping to mark their coach’s special day by putting on a winning performance in front of their home supporters.
Instead, Ndiraya was left to reflect on a result that did not go the way he and his charges had hoped.
For a football coach, birthdays offer little protection from the demands of the game. Once the whistle goes, the focus is firmly on the result, and Ndiraya would have been hoping his players could put aside the occasion and produce the kind of performance that would have allowed the celebrations to continue long after the final whistle. But football does not always follow the script.
“It’s a result that I will accept on my birthday. We talked about it with the boys, it was my birthday and I’m happy for the point for now,” said Ndiraya.
MWOS’ Lloyd Mutasa said: “We are still wishing for another recovery. It was another good game for us. Chicken Inn are a very good side, hopefully we will get it right.”
AGAMA finally get it right
AGAMA coach Anderson Phiri began his tenure on a winning note after his side edged Manica Diamonds 1-0 at Wadzanayi in Shamva, with the victory taking their points tally to 25.
Phiri becomes AGAMA’s fifth coach of the season, highlighting the turbulence that has characterised the club’s campaign.
The new coach could not have asked for a better start as Senegalese midfielder Ousmane Dieme’s eighth-minute strike proved enough to secure maximum points.
Dieme pounced early to give the hosts the lead and although Manica Diamonds pushed for an equaliser, AGAMA held firm to register their sixth victory of the season.
The result provides Phiri with an immediate boost as he looks to bring stability to a side that has gone through a revolving door of coaches this season.
“We needed this win more than our opponents, but we have to work extra hard in the remaining six games of the season,” said Phiri.
For Manica Diamonds, the defeat leaves them with an uphill task in their bid to keep their top-flight status, with the club now forced to play catch up in the closing stages of the campaign.
Coach Herbert Maruwa admitted that the situation had become increasingly difficult, but urged his players to remain focused.
“It is now very difficult for us as a team as we continue playing the catch up game,” he said.
“The boys need to improve on their decision making as well as precision in front of goal, as that has been our weakest point.”
With six matches remaining, Phiri will now hope his arrival can bring much needed consistency to Agama, while Manica Diamonds face a race against time to revive their fortunes.
