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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Herentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
MATCH officials hogged the limelight as a low-key Castle Lager Premiership Harare derby between Dynamos and Herentals ended in a controversial draw at Rufaro yesterday. Far side assistant referee Kudzanai Hiya, who flagged Herentals’ Dreamer Liye’s opener for offside with 27 minutes on the clock, again raised his flag when Donald Dzvinyai appeared to have secured the points for Dynamos.
With DeMbare players sprinting to celebrate and later confront Hiya, Herentals quickly started play and as they were going clear of goal, the Dynamos bench, led by goalkeepers’ coach Britto Gwere rushed into the pitch to curtail the attack.
Apart from the controversy of disallowed goals, the ‘dirty’ match was characterised by crude tackles and every aspect of tension.
After missing an array of chances in the opening half hour, Nomore Chinyerere broke the ice with a fortuitous finish, benefiting largely from poor goalkeeping by Takudzwa Chikosi, who fumbled the tame effort letting it slide in between his legs, with 31 minutes played.
With the Glamour Boys tiding things up to the break, they had no answers to the Students’ raids, with substitute Milton Chimedza coming to the end of Tino Benza’s cross after 66 minutes.
Dynamos gaffer Genesis Mangombe decried his team’s failure to utilise their opportunities.
“We should try and make sure that we score goals whenever we get chances. I think we got so many chances in the first half, but we failed to score,” said Mangombe.
“Some of these decisions are costing us at the end of the day, but I am not a referee.
“If it’s a goal, it’s a goal. Even in their (Herentals) goal, I thought there was an infringement on Jalai (Emmanuel).
“We scored a clear goal, but it was disallowed.”
His Herentals counterpart, Paul Benza, said he was not qualified to comment about match officiating although Liyeto’s first half goal appeared to be legitimate.
“I don’t qualify to comment about match officials,” said Benza.
“The game was good and I thought my players did very well.
“I am happy and disappointed at the same time. I think we should have won this match but it is some of those things that happen in football.
“But the fighting spirit from my lads was amazing.”
Dynamos should have opened the scoring inside 19 minutes but Elton Chikona failed to direct his effort well when shrugging his markers inside the box.
Five minutes later, Donald Mudadi managed a low shot but it was parried away by Chikosi. Herentals took their points tally to 11 while DeMbare are now on 12 points, eight behind leaders Manica Diamonds.
Teams
Dynamos
Tatenda Makoni, Emmanuel Jalai, Nomore Chinyerere, Donald Dzvinyai, Kevin Moyo, Donald Dzvinyai, Emmanuel Ziocha (Temptation Chiwunga 65min), Fredrick Ansah-Botchway (Brendon Jeremani 87min), Valentine Kadonzvo (Alexander Mandinyenya 58min), Emmanuel Paga, Elton Chikona (Keith Madera 65min)
Herentals
Takudzwa Chikosi, Godfrey Mukambi (Ali Maliselo 62min), Zibusiso Ruguchu, Joseph Chitavira, Tinashe Mupumha, Blessing Phiri, Brighton Majarira(Webster Dombo 75min), Dreamer Liyeto (Tanaka Dhlakama 31min(Blessing Majarira 62min), Tinotenda Benza, Innocent Benza (Milton Chimedza 46min), John Zhuwawo
Online Reporter