adminDynamos who emerged from the contest with a knockout victory.
The few DeMbare punches were devastating and took the stuffing out of Gunners.
Dynamos beat Gunners 3-1 at Lafarge on Sunday to move to within three points of joint-leaders Motor Action and FC Platinum.
It was also an historic win for the Glamour Boys as they beat Gunners in the second half of the season for the first time since Chando Kupisa joined the Premiership in 2008.
Until Sunday, Gunners had managed one win and two draws against Dynamos in the second half of the season.
In all the three seasons, Gunners contributed to Dynamos failing to land the Premiership title.
But after Sunday’s achievement, DeMbare have suddenly become strong contenders for the title they last won in 2007.
Highlanders’ defeat against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium meant that they took the back seat in the title race. For now the money will be on defending champions Motor Action, newcomers FC Platinum and Dynamos.
Highlanders – just like Dynamos – were rocked by a player exodus at the start of the season and resorted to largely inexperienced players for their 2011 squad.
The lack of experience has probably cost them some points in the marathon.
Dynamos’ campaign is now being spearheaded by experienced players in virtually every department and this might help them take the title battle to the wire.
Experience was the deciding factor in Sunday’s Premiership match at Lafarge.
Gunners played the more exciting football but, without experience, they fell short when it mattered most.
The suspension of captain Pardon Chinungwa left coach Moses Chunga relying on rookies and, sadly, all three goals were carved from positions that the absent skipper could have protected.
Looking at the teams’ starting line-ups on Sunday, Dynamos had a combined age of 276, at an average of 25 years, compared to Gunners total of 239 at an average of 21 years. That gave Dynamos an age/experience advantage of 37.
The oldest player in the Gunners’ starting line-up was midfielder Charles Makuruva, at 24, while Dynamos had three players aged at least 30 with Murape Murape the oldest at 31.
– How they lined up –
GUNNERS:Age
Prosper Chigumba22
Hardlife Zvirekwi24
Moses Demera 22
Byron Madzokere20
Michelle Katsvairo24
Charles Makuruva24
Jimmy Dzingai20
Cliff Sekete18
Leonard Fiyado22
Ali Sadiki23
Phineas Bamusi20
Total Age239
Average Age:21
DYNAMOSAge
Washington Arubi26
Thomas Magorimbo26
Dominic Benati30
Guthrie Zhokinyu28
George Magariro30
Devon Chafa21
Denver Mukamba18
Archford Gutu18
Cuthbert Malajila25
Murape Murape31
Rodreck Mutuma23
Total Age276
Average Age25
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