adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
Tsholotsho FC 1-1 Dynamos
A SPECTACULAR own goal by midfielder Steven Alimenda on the stroke of fulltime against struggling Tsholotsho FC robbed champions Dynamos of maximum points and an opportunity to close the gap on Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders Chicken Inn.
Dynamos looked set to secure maximum points and cut Chicken Inn’s lead to two points, only for the ginger-haired Alimenda to slot past his goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva in a desperate attempt to intercept a MacClive Phiri cross from the right.
So spectacular was the strike that it would have been a contender for goal of the season had it not been an own goal.
The own goal silenced the Dynamos fans, who had sung and danced throughout the match after taking the lead through the stocky Takesure Chinyama in the 11th minute.
The veteran Dynamos striker punished Tsholotsho’s shaky central defence of Thandolwenkosi Ncube and Donald Dzvinyai, putting to justice a sleek defence-splitting pass from his strike partner Rodrick Mutuma by clinically slotting the ball past goalkeeper Nickell Marichi.
Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya said they paid dearly for a lack of concentration and rued two lost points.
“This wasn’t a good performance by our side. I think maybe fatigue got the better of the players as we’ve played five games in two weeks. We pushed them in the first half but the guys got tired in the second half and that’s when we lost concentration,” said Ndiraya.
“Picking a point is okay, but I believe it’s more about two points dropped because at this stage of the season we want maximum points so that we keep up with the top team.”
Despite taking an early lead, it was Tsholotsho who enjoyed better ball possession as DeMbare rarely troubled their opponents.
Besides the goal, Dynamos only created one other scoring opportunity in the 24th minute when Ocean Mushure sent a long pass to Chinyama, who laid the ball onto the path of Ronald Chitiyo, but the pint-sized midfielder blazed his effort over the bar.
Two minutes later, an unmarked Tsholotsho striker Lynoth Chikuhwa wasted a glorious chance to equalise by directing his header off target from a Phiri cross.
In the 28th minute Mukuruva parried Phiri’s long range shot over for a corner.
Tsholotsho were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty in the 29th minute after Mushure appeared to fell Kriess Chitiyo inside the box.
However, referee Allan Bhasvi adjudged that the foul was committed on the edge of the box and Tsholotsho wasted the free kick.
Just like they did in the first half, Dynamos maintained their defensive stance and absorbed Tsholotsho’s pressure.
Lack of precision by Joel Luphahla in the 62nd minute denied Tsholotsho an opportunity to draw level as the veteran forward shot off target with Mukuruva off his line. Dynamos were reduced to 10-man in the 82nd minute when Mushure picked his second yellow card for time wasting.
With a numerical advantage, Tsholotsho tried to open up DeMbare, but the champions held on to the lead until the 90th minute when Alimenda beat his goalkeeper.
Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe was happy with the point and felt with a bit of luck they could have won the match.
“I think we dominated them and should’ve won the game. We knew they’re good on counter attacks and have big strikers so we held onto the ball by knocking it around. I’m happy with the players’ performance and this vital point as we continue our survival fight,” said Sweswe.
Teams
Tsholotsho FC: Nickell Marichi, MacClive Phiri, Donald Dzvinyai (Remmington Masuku, 86th minute), Thandolwenkosi Ncube, Butholezwe Ncube, Ocient Ncube (Siza Khoza, 68th minute), Kriess Chitiyo, Joel Luphahla, Nixon Gama (Tafadzwa Jaravani, 68th minute), Lynoth Chikuhwa
Dynamos: Tatenda Mukuruva, Godknows Murwira, Ocean Mushure, Sydney Linyama, Elisha Muroiwa, Carlos Rusere, Ronald Chitiyo (Walter Mukanga, 88th minute), Steven Alimenda, Takesure Chinyama (Farai Mupasiri, 88th minute), Rodrick Mutuma (Ralph Kawondera, 58th minute), Obey Mwerahari
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