Chronicle Editor
Oscar Rusenga in Chisumbanje
Greenfuel 2 – 1 Dynamos
GREENFUEL maintained their unbeaten run and remained the only team in the Premier Soccer League to avoid a home defeat the whole season with a big 2-1 win against Dynamos at Greenfuel Arena yesterday.
Greenfuel dominated the early stages of the game and opened scoring early with veteran striker Donald Ngoma scoring his seventh goal of the season in the 12th minute. Greenfuel scored against run of play, when midfielder Collins Dhuwa eliminated his marker Nomore Chinyerere on the right wing before teeing up for Ngoma who made no mistake from close range.
It did not take Dynamos too long to respond as they found the back of the net 10 minutes later. Sadney Uri-Khob demonstrated a striker’s instincts ghosting between the defenders but his headed effort was saved by Greenfuel goalkeeper Tapiwa Chilenga.
Despite his reflex save, Chilenga was hapless as Uri-Khob was the quickest to react and score from the rebound.
Greenfuel captain Brian Chikwenya who was outstanding on the left flank saw his well-taken long-range effort narrowly miss the target in the 32nd minute as the hosts continued to pile pressure on the depleted Dynamos side who missed a lot of first team players.
Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni kept the visitors in the game with a smart save tipping Chris Ngwende’s rasping effort over the bar on the cusp of halftime as the two teams went for the breather with scores tied.
Greenfuel continued their dominance in the second half and created numerous chances but they were not clinical in front of goal. Dynamos never threatened and their best player on the field of play Makoni kept them in the game with some fantastic saves.
James Nguluve who came on as a late substitute for Ngoma missed the best chance of the first half directing his effort straight at Makoni who made himself big to block the effort after some brilliant football from man of the match Dhuwa in the 74th minute.
Dhuwa had his chance to put the hosts ahead just a minute later but his volleyed first time effort went over the bar.
Greenfuel eventually got their winning goal ten minutes from full-time when Frederick Ansa-Botchway didn’t play to the whistle after he was pulled giving Dhuwa a free passage of play to set up Ngwende whose lob was beyond Makoni’s reach.
Despite the defeat, Dynamos assistant coach Joel Luphahla was happy with his charges as they prepare for their biggest match this season, the Chibuku Super Cup.
“Congratulations for a very good game from the home team, credit to them. It was an entertaining match, our boys played very well and the only negative is that we lost. The boys were not committing in some of the challenges maybe because they are already thinking about our next important fixture.
“We take this defeat as technical, and we will take positives going into our biggest game of the season for our club because we have a chance of getting some silverware as we play the final at the weekend”, said Luphahla.
Greenfuel assistant Taurai Mangwiro was happy with the win, finishing their season on a high and preserving their unbeaten record at home.
“It’s a sweet victory for us and we are happy with the response after a morale-sapping defeat against Yadah last week. We are happy to finish the season on a positive note.
“We protected our home record and we remain the only team to have not lost at their base and it gives us every reason to rejoice.”
Teams
Greenfuel
Tapiwa Chilenga, Tashinga Pfende, Brian Chikwenya, Learnmore Muyambo (MandlekosiGasela 70min), Chris Ngwende (Clive Rupiya 90min), Adrian Silla (Nelson Takawira 46min), Collins Dhuwa, Donald Ngoma (James Nguluve 70min), Garikai Dematsika, Daren Mutimunzeve, Stephen Chatikobo
Dynamos
Tatenda Makoni, Donald Dzvinyai, Frank Makarati, Tendaishe Magwaza, Vusa Ngwenya, Nomore Chinyerere, Frederick Ansa-Botchway, Shadreck Nyahwa, Sadney Uri-Khob (Elton Chikona 65min), Alexander Mandinyenya (Emmanuel Paga 45min), Emmanuel Ziocha
Bongani Ndlovu