Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo, [email protected]
Scottland 0-0 Dynamos
SCOTTLAND and Dynamos remain unbeaten in the Premier Soccer League after they dished a super meal that, however, lacked goals in this stalemate at Rufaro yesterday.
Both Mabviravira and DeMbare added a point apiece to their tallies to remain well within coughing distance of leaders CAPS United who have 19 points in eight games.
The Glamour Boys now have 16 points while Scottland have 14.
Their showdown was eagerly awaited given neither had lost in seven match days.
The crowd swarmed the ceremonial home of football and despite it lacking the goals, the fans weren’t displeased. Not at all.
It was a game worth top-flight status and a good advertisement of the league that has vastly improved both in terms of appeal and competitiveness.
Yet Dynamos marched in as the underdogs facing the champions who only two months ago descended on them with a heavy hand in a 5-0 massacre in the Castle Challenge Cup.
The Glamour Boys were at times vulnerable, especially in the second half when they decided to hold still at the back, but they were never passive. They either had all the appropriate answers to all the hard questions that Scottland asked or they just asked tough questions of their own in the opposite direction.
Scottland coach Norman Mapeza felt his team deserved a win given the way they dominated most of the phases of play especially in the second half and rightly so.
“Maybe, like, I have said, maybe if we could have converted the chances that came our way, we could have changed the course of the game,” said Mapeza.
“In the second half, I think we did well, we controlled the game and kept on pushing. But the goals never came.
“If we had scored, it should have been a different story.”
Mapeza’s galaxy of stars, including the ageless Knowledge Musona, showed a lot of intent.
On several occasions, including twice clearly in the opening half, they could have scored.
But striker Tymon Machope, fed by Knowledge Musona and clear on goal, somehow made heavy touches and allowed Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni to sprawl up and save the Glamour Boys from obvious danger.
Just after letting them off the hook, Machope tried hard to compensate with his darting runs confusing the Dynamos rearguard who conceded a freekick from just outside the box.
Knowledge Musona curled it up, rattling the crossbar.
Dynamos looked to have done their homework well as Wisdom Mutasa was consistently denying Abubakar Moffat any positive forays that he always does to the detriment of opponents.
Scottland did put the ball inside the net, substitute Khama Billiat flagged for offside.
Then Peter Muduhwa tried a hit from outside the box which Makoni went down to smoother and save.
Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe said: “The match went according to our game plan.
“In hindsight, I thought, maybe we were supposed to get a goal through those transitions from counter attacks, but it was quite unfortunate that the opponents were spot on.
“They really played very well from the back. That was perfect. But I am very happy with the way we played as a team to pick this valuable point against Scottland.”
Teams
Scottland: Nelson Chadya, Issaka Mohammed, Kwakhe Thwala, Kevin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa, Abubakar Moffat, Mthokozisi Msebe, Emmanuel Ziocha, Tymon Machope (Khama Billiat 57min), Walter Musona, Knowledge Musona
Dynamos: Tatenda Makoni, Tendaishe Magwaza, Abel Gwatidzo, Hastings Chapusha, Collin Mujuru, Shadreck Nyahwa, Tellmore Pio, Wisdom Mutasa (Enasio Perezo 61min), Frank Agyemang (Witness Shave 84min), Stanley Billiat (Leeroy Mavunga 61min), Jairos Kasondo (Elton Njini 61min)
