Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Scottland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
WHEN Dynamos won the first of their last four consecutive titles in 2011, they had collected 13 points after 10 games under Lloyd Mutasa.
But the dagger was already hanging on the now MWOS coach, and it was not a surprise he didn’t last the distance.
The 1-0 defeat to Scottland yesterday means Dynamos are now five points poorer than that performance, which eventually got the coach sacked, to pave way for history-making Kalisto Pasuwa. Could Lloyd Chigowe be the luckiest Dynamos coach to have lasted this long?
Yesterday, a second-half goal by Tymon Machope was all the visitors needed to collect maximum points and add more pressure on the struggling giants.
Chigowe says he was disappointed by the defeat on a day his team put in a commendable shift.
“I thought we had a very good first 45 minutes. There was miscommunication and poor decision-making in the early stages of the second half, and we lost it. I am at a loss for words,” Chigowe said.
He felt his team’s offensive woes were further compromised by the absence of Ghanaian striker Frank Agyemang, who was suspended after getting a red card.
“His absence was a major disadvantage for us. It’s not that Agymeyang was scoring, so we had to juggle with a figure who can play around on Scottland’s defence.
“But both sets of strikers didn’t get clear chances in open play. Scottland got their chances, but at the end of the day, it was an evenly contested match ending in Scottland’s favour due to a howler in our defending.”
Scottland head coach Ndiraya was a happy man after the victory over Dynamos, the second time they have claimed two wins in succession.
“We are very excited with the win and now getting the consistency in winning matches. We have been unfortunate with draws in the past,” said Ndiraya.
He hailed Machope’s goal-scoring abilities and then waxed lyrical over star player Khama Billiat’s contributions to Scottland, labelling him a team leader on and off the pitch.
“Tymon is there to help the team with goals. He is a prolific goalscorer, and we knew he would come to the party.
“But I am amazed by Khama Billiat, the way he is leading the team. He has always been like this since the start of the season. His energy levels are something else.
“It’s good he is showing it on and off the pitch, but most importantly, on the pitch, he has been key for us.”
Ndiraya said his target was to win the title, like he did with Simba Bhora last season, but he highlighted that it is not an easy feat to achieve.
“Every coach goes into the league to win the title, but it’s not easy, as I witnessed with Simba Bhora. It’s difficult and especially this season there is so much competition, but we don’t want to go on top of ourselves; we have to take it step by step,” he said.
The win for Scottland yesterday further compounded Dynamos’ woes. The giants are deep in the relegation zone.
Dynamos have found it difficult in front of goal, failing to get goals regularly.
They have only managed to score two goals in 10 outings, and the handicap has been one of their major problems. The first half between the two sides ended goalless in a tightly contested affair with Dynamos dominating possession.
Scottland had made three changes to their starting line-up, introducing Albert Manenji, Gareth Madhake, and Nathan Mutasa from the team that did the job against Herentals during the midweek.
Dynamos did the same, bringing in Ransom Chingwara, Alick and Leeroy Mavunga.
The first real threat came in the 33rd minute when Scottland’s Ronald Pfumbidzai tested Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni with a tame shot, which was comfortably collected.
Scottland’s defence was nearly breached in the 37th minute when Abel Gwatidzo’s free kick from the edge of the box forced a sharp save from impressive goalkeeper Nelson Chadya.
After the see-saw affair, a second-half goal by Machope proved decisive. Machope broke the deadlock in the 47th minute, capitalising on a costly error by Dynamos’ goalkeeper.
This was after Billiat’s dogged pressing forced an error from the goalkeeper. The ball fell graciously in front of Machope, who made no mistake with a clinical finish.
The forward nearly doubled his tally three minutes later, but Dynamos’ Makoni produced a crucial save to keep his side in the game.
Dynamos pushed hard for an equaliser, with Freddy testing Scottland’s Chadya in the 61st minute, while Chikona was denied by another fine stop from the keeper in the 74th minute.
Scottland had a chance to seal the win in the 84th minute when Walter Musona broke through, but Makoni’s sharp save and Mandivei’s clearance kept the scoreline at 1-0.
Scottland jumped into second place with 19 points, three behind leaders MWOS, who claimed a priceless victory away to Chicken Inn yesterday.
Dynamos remained trapped in an unfamiliar 15th place, with a paltry eight points from 10 games.
Teams:
Dynamos: Tatenda Makoni, Emmanuel Jalai, Abel Gwatidzo, Clive Mandivei, Tendai Magwaza, Nomore Chinyerere, Freddy Alick, Tellmore Pio (Temptation Chiwunga, 67th min), Valentine Kadonzvo (Keith Madera, 68th min), Leeroy Mavunga (Blessing Dziwo, 60th min), Chingwara (Elton Chikona, 60th min)
Scottland: Nelson Chadya, Godknows Murwira, Walter Musona (Emmanuel Saidi, 88th min), Gareth Madhake, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Kevin Moyo, Khama Billiat (Michael Tapera, 88th min), Albert Manenji, Nathan Mutasa (Mutimbanyoka Panashe, 58th min), Tymon Machope (Kingsley Mureremba, 58th min), Frederick Botchway
