Chronicle Editor
Ray Bande in Mutare
Bikita Minerals 0-1 Dynamos
VICE captain Emannuel Jalai was probably the only thing glamorous about the Glamour Boys during yesterday’s Castle Lager Premiership match pitting Dynamos and hosts Bikita Minerals at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare.
Jalai’s flashes of brilliance punctuated by scintillating runs on the flank and accurate passes were a joy to watch, especially in the first half when Dynamos, albeit being the better side of the two, proved to be simply a world apart from the feared outfit of yesteryear.
Neutrals will look back to yesterday’s entire 90 minutes and face difficulty in remembering even a single moment of football artistry, let alone a simple chain of more than five accurate passes from this legendary football institution.
That they needed a penalty, thanks to Bikita Minerals’ defender Carlton Munzabwa’s clumsy challenge on second-half substitute Elton Chikona while in the box, puts into context the visible drop in DeMbare’s standards of play.
But the Glamour Boys’ coach Genesis Mangombe, who watched his team pick up maximum points for the first time this season, has a different tale to tell.
Mangombe said: “I think it is all about the difference in the way we see things. We are playing a good game as a team and we are starting play from the back, something that is modern.
“Perhaps our critics want us to have those long balls being kicked up field but that is not what we subscribe to. We believe we are on the right path.”
Indeed, the victory was a huge relief for under pressure Mangombe, whose players surrounded the former Yadah gaffer as they literally bathed him with bottles of mineral water in wild celebrations after the final whistle.
“We badly needed these points. It was our first victory of the season and we really wanted to win this match. We wanted to break this jinx. That was our worry, we missed a number of chances, especially in the first half,” said the Chipinge-born and bred coach.
His opposite number Saul Chaminuka believes they could also have easily won the match.
“I think we failed to click from the word go. We could have also won this match but we failed. That is the game of football for you. Look at the goal that they scored, it was a result of our errors and they capitalised.
“We look forward with the hope of taking it from here and fight for better results in our next match,” said Chaminuka.
Munzabwa hacked down Chikona and referee Tichaona Tigere did not have to think twice about pointing to the spot.
Up stepped Kelvin Moyo who made no mistake as he hit the roof of the net to give DeMbare the lead and only goal of the match in the 57th minute.
Bikita Minerals had their moments and did all they could to restore parity to, at least, put smiles on the faces of their ballooning fan base at Sakubva Stadium.
With eight minutes to go, Dynamos goalkeeper Martin Mapisa summoned his reflexes to punch a screamer from second-half substitute and central defensive midfielder Praise Tonha, who had released a thunderbolt from close range after getting to the end of a neat exchange of passes that started in the second quarter.
Teams
Bikita Minerals: Francis Tizai; Prince Milanzi; Daren Mutimuzunze; Carlton Munzabwa; Denis Nhongo; Barnabas Mtuche (Blessing Kagudu (60th minute); Allen Gahadzikwa; Benedict Bera (Masimba Mambare 60th minute); Russel Madamombe (Praise Tonha 60th minute); Chris Makambira; Evans Katema:
Dynamos: Martin Mapisa; Emmanuel Jalai; Shadreck Nyahwa; Donald Dzvinyai; Kevin Moyo; Temptation Chiwunga (Tendaishe Magwaza 87th minute); Frederick Ansa-Botchway; Arthur Musiyiwa; Emmanuel Paga; Issa Sadiki; Nomore Chinyere.
Online Reporter