NDIRAYA ESCAPES EXECUTION

Manica Diamonds………….(0) 0

Dynamos………….………(0) 1

DYNAMOS coach Tonderai Ndiraya heaved a huge sigh of relief after collecting maximum points in his dull Castle Lager Premiership encounter at Sakubva yesterday.

Other reports claim a group, which wants Ndiraya out of the club, had organised some individuals to attack the coach should he fail to win this match.

Given the pressure, which has been mounting on Ndiraya in recent weeks, having gone for three successive league matches without a victory, it was understandable to see the beaming smile on his face after Rusape referee Brighton Chimene blew the final whistle.

“This was not an easy match,” said Ndiraya.

“Credit to the boys.

“They did well to win this encounter more so given the background that we had gone for a lengthy period without winning.

“I am happy for the team.”

Yesterday’s dull match was just another sad reminder of how the standards of local football have plummeted.

With a heavyweight counter attraction in the English Premiership clash pitting Manchester United and Manchester City, which was played at the same time yesterday, it was not a surprise that the match at Sakubva could not get the usual big crowds that DeMbare usually attracts whenever they visit Mutare.

Dynamos were first off the blocks and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty seven minutes into the match when a Manica Diamonds defender appeared to have handled the ball in the box.

The visitors almost took the lead 15 minutes into the encounter after Emmanuel Jalai connected a low cross from Issa Sadiki’ corner kick but alert veteran defender Temba Ndlovu cleared the ball off the goal line.

DeMbare, who enjoyed the lions’ share of possession, kept piling pressure on their opponents and created a number of clear-cut scoring opportunities but their strikers somehow took turns to miss the target.

The Glamour Boys finally took the lead in the 65th minute when Frank Muparati made the most of an Emmanuel Paga pass in the box to deceive Manica Diamonds goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo.

Manica Diamonds coach Johanisi Nhumwa said:

“It is the same thing again. We are creating chances but our conversion rate is terrible. We are just not scoring goals.

“We have been like this for many matches now and it is something that I think we just have to keep working on to improve.

“In this match we did well to match the standards of our opponents but somehow we just could not score after creating so many scoring chances.”

He endured a barrage of verbal attacks from irate fans after the match.

 

Teams

Manica Diamonds:

1. Muchambo, C. Teguru, E. Mafirenyika, T. Ndlovu (T. Mamvura, 69th min), C. Munzabwa, L. Chakoroma (X. Moyo, 72nd min), T. Chamboko (M. Tapera, 69th min), J. Takunda, T. Mabvura, P. Manhanga (N. Chintuli, 62nd min), L. Katongomara (F. Mugumwa, 69th min)

 

Dynamos

1. Tafiremutsa, P. Jaure, K. Murera, I. Sadiki (B. Mpofu 87th min), E. Paga (R. Kawondera 87th min), J. Makunike, E. Jalai, T. Makanda (E. Katema, 67th min), T. Mavhunga, T. Muringai, F. Mukarati: