Zimpapers Sports Hub
HARDROCK are not leaving anything to chance in their Premiership title charge after a late 1-0 victory over Dynamos at Rufaro yesterday, courtesy of an added-time goal from Masimba Mambare.
Now five points clear at the summit, the victory makes life difficult for Scottland, who trail by five points but have a game in hand.
Even if they win their midweek clash against Chicken Inn, Scottland will still be two points behind the Kwekwe-based side, who have now gone eight games unbeaten.
Coming into yesterday’s match, Hardrock started cautiously, remaining rigid in their game plan as they dictated proceedings.
The turning point was Frank Agyemang’s second yellow card, which left DeMbare a man short.
The match started at a fast pace, with Hardrock taking the front seat and sending a strong signal to their opponents with deft touches towards goal from the onset.
Building from the back, Dynamos grew in confidence, increasing their intensity as they tried to hit the visitors on the break.
Abel Gwatidzo floated in a good cross from the left, which however found no taker.
The two near misses breathed confidence into Dynamos, who stepped up to match Hardrock for pace and possession.
It was not long before Wisdom Mutasa bossed the midfield and won possession before locating Leroy Mavunga on the wing.
Mavunga crossed well for Frank Agyemang, whose header was on target, but Martin Mapisa rose to the occasion.
In the second half, it was one-way traffic, but Hardrock could not get the winner until the death.
Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu said it was a game that needed his charges to stay mentally alert.
“This was a difficult game, especially when we had to play against 10 men for more than 45 minutes. We had to adjust and make tactical changes, although we still couldn’t get a goal but I am happy that eventually we forced something. They defended well, they were organised and disciplined with the block, so we could only hope for a miracle,” he said.
Dynamos assistant coach Lawrence Mawulorm paid tribute to his side.
“We had played well for the greater part of the game. Tactically we had done everything well to make sure we stay in the game, but fatigue crept in at the end,” he said.
Innocent Kurira reports from Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo that Bulawayo Chiefs made life difficult for themselves when they allowed visiting Ngezi Platinum to score two goals against them at home.
Despite a three-point advantage over 15th-placed Agama, the noose is now tightening around the side, with their next assignment an away match against Manica Diamonds, who are almost confirmed relegated, with their match against Highlanders capable of sealing their fate.
McDonald Eddisone opened the scoring with a 16th-minute header before Marvelous Mukumba struck at the death to seal victory for the visitors and leave the Twitter Kings empty-handed.
Bulawayo Chiefs coach John Nyikadzino said it was a painful defeat.
“We got a number of chances which we should have converted, but we failed to do that. It’s a bad result, really. Looking at where we are on the log, it is very disappointing. We created more chances than Ngezi, but this is water under the bridge; we move to the next game,” said Nyikadzino.
Ngezi Platinum coach Kumbirayi Mutiwekuziwa was happy with the victory on the road.
“A very good win away from home. They are a good team, though they are fighting relegation. Winning away from home fits into our target for the season, which is finishing in the top four,” said Mutiwekuziwa.
In Zvishavane, Alberto Chamwadoro reports that FC Platinum finally cracked at the back after 407 minutes of resilient defending, conceding two goals to Harare side CAPS United.
FC Platinum coach Thabo Senong finally tasted defeat, with Alois (Junior) Bunjira and Davison Marowa scoring the two crucial goals in the 48th and 80th minutes respectively for the Green Machine. Senong rued the glut of clear-cut chances his team missed.
In Gweru, where Zimpapers Sports Hub’s Onward Gangata was at Ascot Stadium, Hunters survived a late scare from TelOne to hold on and secure a precious 3-2 win.
The result may have secured their PSL franchise for another year.
Hunters got their goals through Terrence Dzvukamanja and Delight Gandari in the first half.
Substitute Bruno Mtigo halved the deficit early in the second half to give the hosts some hope, but Tadiwanashe Huni restored Hunters’ two-goal cushion with a beautiful long-range shot.
TelOne mounted intense pressure late in the second half but fell short, with Jerry Chipangura scoring their second goal.
The win saw Hunters move to 37 points.
