adminMIDFIELDER Wonder Sithole ended a seven-month layoff to score a brilliant goal that helped Dynamos snatch a point from the jaws of a defeat against a venomous Black Mambas in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro yesterday.
Sithole, who last played for the Harare giants during their 2-1 win over Motor Action in a league tie on November 21 2010, scored a screamer after coming in at the break.
The midfielder was not registered for the first half of the season as he battled against a knee injury and made a welcome return to action with a wonderful strike in the 81st minute.
Black Mambas had taken the lead from the boot of impressive Abbas Amidu in the 58th minute and the police side could have sealed a victory in the 80th minute but Peter Kachirika wasted a golden chance.
Action then swung to the other end of the field where Sithole, who had threatened to score early, released a powerful left footer that hit the underside of the crossbar to bounce over the line, beating goalkeeper Learnmore Jere.
The goal was greeted by a thunderous roar from the Dynamos fans as the Harare giants were once again staring at another defeat.
Sithole was naturally pleased with his comeback but said he would have to work harder to regain full fitness as he was losing challenges for the balls to the opponents.
“I am happy to be making a comeback to action after more than seven months.
“I have not played for a long time and when I came from the bench, I had a feeling that I was going to make a difference to the team,” said Sithole.
Sithole showed some fine touches but failed to beat outstanding Black Mambas’ goalkeeper Jere.
“I think I will have to work hard to regain full fitness and hopefully more goals,” said Sithole.
Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa was also happy that the gamble to pull out Farayi Vimisayi for Sithole made a positive difference.
“Wonder is coming back from such a long lay-off and it’s encouraging when he gets a goal.
“It’s a motivation for the player and we are hopeful he will build from there in the next game.
“I think it will build his confidence,” said Mutasa.
While Mutasa was happy with Sithole’s goal, the Dynamos coach was left mourning the glut of missed chances.
Mutasa said the one point gained yesterday had left a big dent in his side’s league championship aspirations.
Coming into this game, Dynamos had lost 1-0 to Monomotapa in a league game while the Glamour Boys had also been dumped out of the BancABC Sup8r where they were the defending champions.
“We have to get back to the drawing board.
“It’s not good to get one point when we should be taking maximum points.
“The one point gained does little to help us if we are to compete for the championship when we should be picking up points,” said Mutasa.
Dynamos had numerous chances in the first half with Denver Mukamba playing his heart out, wide on the left side of midfield.
But for all his industry, Mukamba failed to find the target in a game he could have emerged with a hat-trick. In the first half, Jere saved a header by Mukamba inside the box while in the second half, the goalkeeper pushed a thunderbolt for a corner kick.
While Mukamba caused anxious moments as he took the Black Mambas defence head on, his midfield partner Archie Gutu had a subdued performance.
Both Mukamba and Gutu were making a return to the DeMbare line-up after missing the last two league games.
Lanky midfielder Mukamba was sitting on a red card while Gutu was on trials in Sweden alongside Amidu.
Mutasa said he had hoped that Gutu would produce a moment of magic but it was not to be.
“He was not at his usual best but a player like him can work out something during the game.
“But today he could not and it happens,” said Mutasa.
Dynamos once again failed to field Cuthbert Malajila as his papers are still not in order although the player was been placed on stand-by when the squad was announced on Friday.
While Dynamos created most of the chances during the game, Warumwa Warumwa created the better opportunities.
Amidu was a given free role in the game and madesome intelligent inter-play with his team-mates while Sebastian Mutizirwa also asked the Dynamos defence some questions.
Karichi could have killed the match as a contest but opted to sky his effort over the bar from the box in the 80th minute and Dynamos then regrouped to even the scores.
Black Mambas coach John “Toto” Ncube felt his side should have collected maximum points.
“We created good chances but could not convert them.
“In the end we allowed Dynamos to get a point when were leading.
“I think we should have been happy with three points but that is part of football,” said Ncube.
Ncube, however, drew some positives and now prays that his charges will continue with the rich form in their next league game.
“Our position on the log is not pleasing and we have to get three points,” said Ncube
Dynamos
W. Arubi, D. Benati, G. Magariro, G. Zhokinyi, M. Makopa, T. Mamvura, F. Vimisayi (W. Sithole 46th min), D. Mukamba, M. Vengesayi (N. Ziwini 77th min), A. Gutu, R. Mutuma
Black Mambas
L. Jere, G. Chikweva, A. Musasa, L. Kaisa, B. Chirimanzi, A. Amidu, L. Maphuya, F. Banda (P. Kachirika 69th min) S. Mutizirwa, C. Hungwe, K. Chidzambwa (P. Khumalo 89th min).
Online Reporter