Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DYNAMOS did not lose the game against Hardrock at Rufaro on Saturday in added time, but in the 37th minute when their best player Frank Agyemang saw red after picking a second yellow.
And Zimpapers Sports Hub can exclusively reveal that the player apologised at half time to his teammates for letting them down in such a crucial match.
On Saturday, it did not matter Dynamos then parked the bus in the second half to try and get at least a point, Hardrock kept coming at them until at the death when Masimba Mambare stabbed his former club.
“I could not even wait for the game to finish for me to face them, I was in emotional distress and needed to vent immediately,” Agyemang said.
“So I did that at half-time when they came to the dressing room… I had to be brave and face them.
“I apologised, I told them that I was sorry for what happened and much to my surprise, they instantly accepted and told me to be strong.
“They were like, it is well and we are going back there to fight for you mate, we are a team and in times like these we have to stand for brotherhood.”
Agyemang was given his marching orders in the 37th minute for a second bookable offence on Tinotenda Muringai. DeMbare’s remaining 10-man refused to fold easily.
For the opening moments of second half, they matched Hardrock for intensity, closed spaces, pressed high and created chances.
But in the last 20 minutes, wave after wave of Kelvin Kaindu’s charges left DeMbare against the wall.
DeMbare will look back and realise they could have done many things differently.
With the match emotionally charged, Kaindu made sure to remove all players on yellow cards at half time.
Cioaba on the other hand has worked relentlessly to bring togetherness in his dressing room, and that spirit was put to the ultimate test.
The team passed. But the result this time around, bitter.
“Our plan was to win that game because we want to finish in the top three or four, so the plan was to fight all out because Hardrock are dangerous,” said Agyemang.
“So when I got that second yellow, I was very disappointed and up to now, I blame myself for this loss.
“I don’t think we were going to lose if we still had numbers… part of me feels maybe the referee should have pardoned us on that second yellow.”
In the stands, the fans felt it too.
Instead of turning on the striker, the Vietnam Stand and the rest of Rufaro chose to stand with him, the bench and the team.
After the final whistle, fans thronged the main gates, singing and pledging unwavering support for the team, coach and Agyemang.
Watching them sing, Agyemang said, made him feel indebted.
“I sincerely apologise to the fans for letting them down, I owe them for their support despite what happened,” he said.
Dynamos may have lost at the death, but on a day of heartbreak, they showed something even bigger, brotherhood.
Hardrock head coach Kelvin Kaindu admits Dynamos were difficult to break even with a man down.
“It was a difficult game, we had to adjust by making tactical changes, but we still couldn’t get a goal,” he said.
“They played as a unit, remained well organised defensively while disciplined with the block only for us to eventually find a breakthrough in the last minute.”
