Chronicle Editor
Tadious Manyepo in Gweru
Sheasham FC 0-2 Dynamos FC
DYNAMOS found a way to recover from their in-house turbulence when posting this impressive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League victory at Bata Stadium yesterday.
Interim coach Genesis Mangombe was in charge of DeMbare and yesterday cheered the spirits of the giants with a well-executed game plan.
A goal in each half by Jayden Bakare and Eli Ilunga carried the day for Dynamos who regained fourth place on the log after taking their tally to 32.
They are still nine points behind leaders Highlanders after the latter posted a victory of their own against bottom-placed Black Rhinos at Barbourfields yesterday.
“I am pleased with the win and you know it’s always been difficult playing away from home,” Mangombe said.
“I am happy that my boys responded very well (to this difficult pitch). They did so well, executing the basics that we have been practising during the whole week.
“I am happy also that we managed to create a lot of chances and at the end of the day, we managed to score twice which is a positive for us.
“I think we will identify some of the things as we progress. You could see that we are trying to move the ball fast, to have all the players get involved so that we can play as a unit.
“I think my boys did very well. I am really happy.”
There were so many plots and sub-plots as DeMbare trooped into this uneven Bata Stadium pitch which they had to effectively contend with.
Sheasham had never been breached since they started hosting their opponents at the Gweru facility with Highlanders, Herentals and Ngezi Platinum Stars among the list of visitors who couldn’t find the back of the net against Sheasham.
In reality, Mangombe was under pressure to deliver the maximum points and at least calm the nerves of the biggest football community that Dynamos is.
After all, this is the man who the court of public opinion is finger-pointing for backbiting suspended former coach Herbert Maruwa into trouble with vice chairman Vincent Chawonza.
The latter appears to be all-powerful man at Dynamos right now and his position as the head of Dynamos human capital gives him the clout to call the shots.
And Mangombe is alleged to be his blue-eyed boy whom he wants to take over the reins at DeMbare on a permanent basis.
The former Yadah coach couldn’t afford to slip against the newcomers even when the odds were pointing to a draw.
He showed his tactical masterpiece against a team that has vastly improved since match-day two when Dynamos hammered them 4-0 in the reverse tie at the National Sports Stadium.
The Glamour Boys created so many chances and showed they were in the game to play right from the time referee of the day Lawrence Zimondi, who had a good outing, blew for kick off.
Elton Chikona, Keith Madera and Bakare all came close to opening the scoresheet but they were not that sharp in their execution.
With the clock past the hour mark, Dynamos momentarily looked frustrated probably due to the number of chances they were fluffing.
But with Sheasham always second best in every inch of action, the Glamour Boys were always going to get the elusive opener.
It arrived seven minutes before the break with Bakare turning in a precise cross by Chikona.
The lanky forward had apparently disappeared from the radar since he scored his first goal in Dynamos colours on April 30 against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium.
But he wore so much confidence yesterday, with good runs with and without the ball and he thoroughly deserved to finish the game on the victorious side.
After breaking the ice, Dynamos continued to boss both the ball and territory, pushing to cushion their advantage.
But Sheasham were absorbing everything they were throwing and the construction-driven team even had their moments to draw level with man-of-the-moment Liberty Masveure coming close.
Mangombe replaced Bakare with Ilunga with 18 minutes to go and the Congolese forward needed just six minutes to double DeMbare’s advantage and effectively seal the much-needed victory.
With 20 points to their name, Sheasham are still swimming in the red zone and coach Lizwe Sweswe was disappointed after the defeat though he felt his charges gave it their best shot.
Teams
Sheasham: Liberty Chirava, Physically Madhazi (Tanaka Chidhobha 71st minute), Nigel Mpinduki, Kudakwashe Musharu (Michael Busavangani 89th minute), William Stima, Collin Kwaramba, David Mangesi, Roy Useni, Thubelihle Jubane Tinaye Tsimba 90th minute), Liberty Masveure, Hilary Bakacheza
Dynamos: Prince Tafiremutsa, Donald Mudadi (Arthur Musician 72min), Kevin Moyo, Kevin Moyo, Brendon Mpofu, Frank Makarati, Junior Makunike, Emmanuel Jalai, Elton Chikona, Jayden Bakare(Eli Ilunga 72nd minute), Keith Madera (Emmanuel Paga 56th minute), Tanaka Shandirwa(Shadreck Nyahwa 82nd minute)
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