Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS Utd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
JOY and despair was the story of the day at Rufaro yesterday when giants Dynamos edged close rivals CAPS United in the Harare Derby that had serious implications on the relegation matrix.
Forward Jairos Kasondo scored the only goal of the match in the 54th minute to brighten DeMbare’s chances of surviving the chop while dragging Makepekepe deep into the mud.
But both teams gave their all in a perfect setting, as fans from both sides packed the stands to create a carnival atmosphere.
In the end, it was the DeMbare fans who celebrated long into the night despite their team technically being the away side.
The defeat, on the other hand was difficult to take for Makepekepe fans, and they could not endure the final minutes of the game as they started walking out before referee Israel Nhevera had even blown the final whistle.
Dynamos coach Kelvin Kaindu, dressed immaculately in a navy blue suit, cast a heavy shadow on his struggling countryman Ian Bakala in a Derby battle pitting two Zambian coaches.
Kaindu has now kept the Harare giants unbeaten in nine competitive games since his appointment two months ago.
After finding the giants deep in relegation, the Zambian has now managed five wins and a draw in the six league games that he has been involved with the Glamour Boys.
Dynamos rose two places to 15th yesterday and are now equal on 32 points with the Green Machine who occupy the last position of safety on the log standings, with a slender goal difference of one goal now separating the two.
Kaindu was overwhelmed by the win yesterday, which improved his record at the Glamour Boys, after collecting 16 points from a possible 18.
“I think it can only be a miracle, honestly. Looking at the team, at the position where we were and also the number of points that we managed to get in the games that we played. I don’t know.
“It can only be God. It can only be a miracle. It keeps on building confidence in the team,” said Kaindu.
“We were not scoring. I think we had scored six goals from 22 games. But now our scoring rate has improved.
“We were also able to keep a clean sheet. We keep on pushing. We were very far away from the other teams.
“But I think with today’s win that takes us to 32 points. I’m sure we’re slightly closer to most of the teams that are above us. With a bit of luck, I think in the next few games, we’ll be talking about something else.”
This was a game that had a lot at stake. The three points felt like six for DeMbare as both teams are currently involved in the relegation battle.
Both teams are now on 32 points and a goal difference of one goal has kept CAPS United from the drop zone.
Makepekepe also wanted the game more to ease their relegation worries.
But they were forced to make an injury inspired substitution after one of their key men Bruce Kangwa indicated he could not continue with the game in the 23rd minute.
The defender had feisty cameo but came off the worst after making a sliding tackle on DeMbare captain Emmanuel Jalai, who was also a bundle of energy.
Shortly afterwards, Dynamos goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa made a brilliant save to keep the scoreboard unchanged when he tipped a dipping free-kick from Kundai Benyu.
Chances were created at both ends of the goal, but the players could not convert.
Jalai made his way into the box on the half-hour mark and found Kasondo with a cut back but the forward could not quite connect his shot, much to the disappointment of his captain.
CAPS United striker Chris Mugalu headed wide from a cross by his captain Phineas Bamusi after 40 minutes, and it was goalless at half-time.
But Dynamos surged ahead soon after the restart when Kasondo squeezed the ball in with a flashing header to the near post in the 54th minute. Kasondo found the Green Machine flat-footed after a corner kick was taken on the left by Leeroy Mavunga.
CAPS United failed to recover from the blow despite Bakala responding with a triple substitution to add more men upfront at the hour mark.
CAPS United are win-less in their last three games and their situation is getting dire by the day. Their coach Bakala felt they shot themselves in the foot yesterday by failing to score.
“I think winning the game is by scoring goals, which I think we didn’t do. They performed very well, but at the end of the day, the result matters. Looking at the game, we missed a lot of chances.
“In games like these, chances have to be utilised, of which I think we wasted a lot of chances. They (Dynamos) only got the corner, and they scored. I think we just have to do much better than this,” said Bakala.
Teams:
CAPS Utd: Stephen Odai Kwaku, Bruce Kangwa (K. Mangiza, 23rd min), Jimmy Dzingai Wesley Milanzi, Chitoshi Chinga, Bernard Chipanera (N. Chintuli, 67th min), Tanaka Shandirwa, Kundai Benyu (J. Bakari, 77th min), Phineas Bamusi (J. Bunjira, 67th min), Ishmael Wadi (T. Matindife, 67th min), Chris Mugalu
Dynamos: Prince Tafiremutsa, Emmanuel Jalai, Abel Gwatidzo, Tendaishe Magwaza, Issaka Mohammed, Tellmore Pio (D. Mukamba, 61st min), Vusa Ngwenya (F. Agyemang, 77th min), Shadreck Nyahwa, Wisdom Mutasa (V. Kadonzvo, 46th min), Jairos Kasondo (F. Hammond, 61st min), Leeroy Mavunga (E. Perezo, 61st min)
