Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, [email protected]
Dynamos 0-0 Bulawayo Chiefs
Dynamos supporters left Rufaro with more questions than answers yesterday after the Glamour Boys laboured to a goalless draw against Bulawayo Chiefs, a result that did little to ease concerns following one of the club’s most turbulent weeks in recent memory.
Coming on the backdrop of the suspension of head coach Genesis Mangombe and his technical team, the performance only reinforced the sense that the DeMbare family is divided over the decision to disrupt a side that had begun to show signs of stability.
The man expected to take over the reins at Dynamos, Serbian coach Aristica Cioaba, watched from the terraces as the Glamour Boys struggled to break down a highly defensive Chiefs side. He is expected to have his papers in place before Dynamos’ next match.
The Dynamos supporters refused to salute their players after the game. They could not stomach two points dropped against a Chiefs side that looked content to return to Bulawayo with a point.
Team manager Ronald Sibanda took charge in the absence of suspended Mangombe and his assistants Newsome Mutema, Tonderai Marume and goalkeepers’ trainer Britto Gwere.
Dynamos struggled for fluency and missed the few chances they created in the second half. Sibanda admitted the week’s upheaval had made the task more difficult.
“I thought we had a good game considering what was happening during the week; the players, the transition.
“So, a few things we had to change but I thought we had a good game although we didn’t get the goal we wanted to win the match,” said Sibanda.
The two teams approached the contest cautiously, making it difficult for either side to stamp authority on the game.
That the first half ended without a single shot on target at either end summed up the afternoon.
The first effort on target arrived in the 48th minute when Chiefs goalkeeper Tinotenda Chinovhiringa produced a fine save, diving to his right to tip Moses Demera’s dipping free-kick over the bar.
Chiefs threatened on the counter in the 63rd minute. Former Dynamos player Arthur Masiywa found himself through on goal, but Tatenda Makoni reacted well to block the low effort before his defenders completed the clearance.
Second-half substitute Jairos Kasondo twice failed to make the most of good openings while Wisdom Mutasa blazed Dynamos’ final attack over the crossbar as frustrated supporters began leaving the stadium before the final whistle.
“Definitely, I understand their frustrations 100 percent,” said Sibanda.
“Dynamos is a big club. They want to win every game, every time, no matter what happens. Even if the players don’t train, they strike, we need to win matches. So yes, I understand their frustration, they are right to be frustrated.”
The draw denied Dynamos the chance to climb into fourth place. They remained seventh on 31 points. Chiefs stayed 12th with 21 points and coach John Nyikadzino was pleased with the outcome.
