Dethroned DeMbare win

Ishemunyoro Chingwere
Dynamos. . . . (1) 2
Chapungu. . . . . . 0
SIX weeks after their coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, ruled them out of the league title race, Dynamos – kings of local football for the past four years – were dethroned by Chicken Inn despite their win at Rufaro yesterday.
Midfielder Walter Mukanga gave Dynamos the lead in the 12th minute before Takesure Chinyama sealed the victory with a brilliant effort five minutes from full time.
The win took Dynamos’ points tally to 54, same as second placed FC Platinum who are placed higher thanks to a superior goal difference.
For four uninterrupted years, the local football faithful had become accustomed to a Dynamos side that gatecrashes into the party right at the death.
But Chicken Inn yesterday made sure they pushed aside the extra load of going into the last round of the league with Dynamos breathing heavily behind them when they sealed the title with a round of matches to play.
Ndiraya reiterated Dynamos lost it the day they were held to a goalless draw by Harare City in Week 25.
“It was a difficult season for us, we had too many draws. Some of the matches we were supposed to win but ended up drawing,” he said.
“If we could have converted a few of those draws into wins it was going to be easy for us. Again we were presented with a chance to come back but we went for three games without a win and that really affected us at a time our opponents were doing us good by dropping points.
“But that is football, we have to go back and refocus, prepare for next season to regain the title. As of now our focus has shifted to the last game against Buffaloes. Like I promised, we want to finish on a high and try win all our remaining matches as well as the Easycall Cup.
Chapungu, who are chasing a place in the top eight, had their fair share of possession with the ageless Philip Marufu a thorn in Dynamos’ flesh, but could not get the much needed breakthrough.
Their coach John Nyikadzino felt his men did well but failure to convert chances was their biggest undoing.
“I think the result is deceptive,” said Nyikadzino.
“We controlled the game but Dynamos managed to score.”
Teams
Dynamos: T Mukuruva, G Murwira, O Mushure, A Mbara, E Muroiwa, S Alimenda (E Opoku 69th), R Chitiyo, W Mukanga (C Rusere 53rd), T Chinyama, K Bulaji (R Kawondera 75th), B Moyo
Chapungu: R Mazingi, C Kwaramba, H Mugoniwa, B Mbavaira, B Zabula, W Ngonya, G Phiri, X Ncube (A Tavarwisa 51st), N Ncube, P Marufu, T Chitora (R Mhlanga 56th)