Kiglon derail Dynamos

HISTORY repeated itself at Rufaro yesterday as little Kiglon once again stood in the way of stuttering Dynamos and handed them a shock defeat that left yet another big dent on their championship campaign.
In a corresponding and yet decisive fixture last year, Dynamos needed to beat Kiglon to take advantage of the game they had in hand over Gunners in the race for the title.

But as was the case last year when Kiglon stunned Dynamos 3-2, it was the Chitungwiza outfit, with nothing but pride to play for, who took all the three points and handed Gunners the initiative which they eventually capitalised on for Chando Kupisa’s maiden championship title.
Washington Pakamisa’s 70th minute strike made the difference as “the Kiglon curse” returned to haunt DeMbare at such a crucial stage in their pursuit for the league title.

That victory also virtually guaranteed Kiglon safety from relegation as it took their points tally to 33 and now a point in their remaining matches will suffice for Lloyd Mutasa’s men.

It was also Dynamos’ second successive defeat inside four days by an identical margin after Elvis Chiweshe’s men fell to Gunners at the same venue on Sunday.
DeMbare now trail rivals and log leaders Motor Action by two points with three ga-mes remaining after the Mighty Bulls were held to a 1-1 draw by Gunners in another match.
Dynamos assistant coach Tichaona Diya had admitted that pressure was mounting on them after the Gunners reverse and yesterday he acknowledged that his team had hit poor form, albeit at the wrong time.

“The game was evenly balanced but it’s only that we are going through a bad patch, which we hope will not affect us in the remaining matches.

“We had our chances but they took theirs and scored, which made the difference in the end because if you don’t score you won’t win,” said Diya.
Kiglon took a giant step to ease their relegation worries, as they are now eight points clear of the danger zone.

Mutasa, a former Dynamos player, said he did not have sleepless nights in plotting the downfall of his former paymasters.
“As I have said before, we have been doing quite well against the big teams in the Premiership and I am happy we just picked it up from where we left off in our previous encounters.

“But I feel we still need to do more in our remaining games to improve our position on the table.

“The good thing is we are not going to be relegated and if you look at our team, it’s only fair to say we are not relegation material.

“Our position on the table is not a true reflection of what Kiglon really is,” said Mutasa.

Kiglon — who also played the party spoilers against Dynamos last year — stole the lead midway through the second half and successfully defended the goal despite finishing with 10 men after goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu was sent off for an early shower when referee Thabani Bamali showed him a second yellow card late in the game.

Pakamisa scored the important goal when he finished off a counter raid that started from the back. Speedy winger Martin Vengesayi raced from his own half and squared the ball inside the Dynamos goal area with defenders Guthrie Zhokinyi and Mathew Mahala, who replaced injured George Magariro, in hot pursuit.

Pakamisa, a former CAPS United striker who has been struggling for form this season, responded with a fine first time effort to beat advancing goalkeeper Washington Arubi from close range.
Pakamisa also had earlier come close in the 30th minute when the DeMbare defenders allowed him a free header, which however, sailed over the bar from a free kick by Dominic Benati.
Benati had a brilliant afternoon at left back and kept Dynamos winger Benjamin Marere under wraps.

Midfielder Virimayi Mukudo twice went wide with magnificent long-range efforts and Charles Mukanhairi’s header just mi-ssed the right upright after receiving a cross from Benati on the 65th minute.

DeMbare had their best chance of the first half when Marere exchanged passes with Evans Gwekwerere on the right flank but the final responsibility fell to unsuspecting Archieford Gutu who shot weakly at the goalkeeper just before half time.

With strikers Gwekwerere and Dylan Chivandire not getting a clean supply, DeMbare had thought they had found the equaliser in 80th minute but referee Bamala blew for an infringement after Nyamupa-ngedengu was felled in a goal mouth melee while trying to clear an aerial ball.

The goalkeeper however, did not last the game after receiving a second yellow card.
But Kiglon had already bagged the game by the time defender Vimbayi Madamombe took over the gloves from the Warriors trialist who was penalised for time-wasting for his second bookable offence.
Nyamupangedengu had first been booked when he strayed from his area and handled outside the box in a desperate attempt to thwart a Dynamos raid in the 39th minute.

In an ill-tempered match, referee Bamali flashed nine yellow cards but it was Kiglon who had the last laugh as they inflicted pain in the hearts of the Dynamos faithful.