Dynamo deflated

Bruce Chikuni 

Dynamos………………………….. (1)2

Bulawayo Chiefs………………….(1)3

Dynamos coach, Herbert Maruwa, is feeling the pressure following a 2-3 defeat by Bulawayo Chiefs in a Castle Lager Premiership match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday. 

Despite the fact that this was the team’s first loss, they failed to collect points from an opponent who had failed to win any game in five attempts. 

During the match, the Ninjas outmatched DeMbare in every department, leading Maruwa to admit that the team’s defensive unit was their biggest let down. 

Dynamos conceded three similar goals while ball watching and Maruwa acknowledged that their tracking inside the 18-yard box was poor. However, he is trying to remain positive and is looking to pick up any positives from the match.

Even referee Tichaona Mbire’s decision to award them a ghost penalty in the 20th minute did little to stop the determined Ninjas.

“I think our defence was not okay today because we conceded three headers which I think we could have done better. 

“Our tracking inside the 18-yard box was very poor because it’s not okay from a defensive point of view to concede three similar goals.

“We are now going to pick up the pieces from the positives we had today. It’s also good that we managed to score two goals, which has been our weakness,” said Maruwa.

The first chance of the game fell to Jayden Bakari, who failed to tap in Tanaka Shandirwa’s set up in the seventh minute.

The Ninjas came close in the 10th minute with Billy Veremu failing to make the most of his solo run as he fired his shot straight into keeper, Taimon Mvula’s hands.

Chiefs then scored when Farao Matare delivered a brilliant cross which was headed home by Mthokozisi Msebe in the 20th minute.

The Ninjas got carried away and Dynamos applied pressure just two minutes after conceding and profited from Mbire’s dreadful call as TV replays showed that the ball hit the Chiefs defender’s leg.

The Chiefs players and technical team left the pitch for five minutes protesting the dreadful penalty call.

Frank Makarati made no mistake from the spot in the 22th minute to level matters.

Danny ‘Deco’ Phiri headed home from close range in the 47th minute to reclaim their lead.

Msebe failed to extend their lead in 75th minute after dribbling past the defence only to be denied by the upright. 

Tanaka Shandirwa levelled matters in the 77th minute from Elie Ilunga’s rebound after missing from close range.

The Ninjas’ penalty appeal was waved away in the 86th minute.

Phiri exposed Dynamos’ shaky defence by heading home his second goal of the day in the 87th minute from Msebe’s well dispatched corner kick.

Phiri was a jubilant man after the final whistle as he was also voted man of the match by ZTN Sport.

“I’m still shocked that I scored a brace because I knew we were going to get a positive result, but without me scoring the brace,” said Phiri.

“This result is reward for our efforts because we have been playing well and I’m happy we have finally registered a win.

“This victory means a lot to us because it’s our first and it has come at the right time to boost our confidence,” Phiri said.