Dynamos back on top

Cletus Mushanawani in Mutare
Buffaloes 0-1 Dynamos
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 eighth minute.
He received a defence-splitting pass from the impressive Mutuma and did not make any mistake to send DeMbare fans into celebration.