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Eddie Chikamhi in Harare and Lovemore Kadzura in Rusape—
CHAMPIONS Dynamos rekindled their faint hopes of snatching the Castle Lager Premiership title at the death as they secured a crucial win as the leading pair of Chicken Inn and FC Platinum stumbled in yet another episode of the riveting 2015 title race yesterday. DeMbare may be in third place, but their 2-1 win over relegated Dongo Sawmill on the day that Chicken Inn and FC Platinum dropped vital points ensured the championship battle will remain a three-horse race right through to the wire. Leaders Chicken Inn had to rally from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Tsholotsho at White City.
At Lafarge, FC Platinum surrendered a first half lead against relegation-threatened Flame Lily and in the end failed to capitalise on the Gamecocks draw to take over pole position. Chicken Inn remained top with 55 points, with Joey Antipas’ men retaining their two-point cushion over FC Platinum.
The Gamecocks appear to be running out of steam in the marathon after playing identical 1-1 draws in their last three matches against FC Platinum, Whawha and Tsholotsho yesterday.
It looked they would lose their pole position yesterday after conceding first against Tsholotsho yesterday while FC Platinum were leading Flame Lily 1-0 at the break. But the platinum miners could not hold on as they remained second on the log standings with 53 points.
Amid the stagnation at the top, champions Dynamos reignited the pressure valves on the top two after winning 2-1 at relegated Dongo Sawmill and remain in the contention, albeit with a slim chance.
DeMbare took their tally to 51 points with two games remaining in the season. However, the four-point gap between them and the log leaders Chicken Inn still looks challenging with matches against Chapungu and Buffaloes in their last two assignments.
The Glamour Boys claimed victory in an exciting encounter at Vengere, thanks to a rare goal from Kelvin Bulaji and a second half strike by veteran Takesure Chinyama. DeMbare recovered from a sluggish start and took control of the match as Dongo were failing to handle skilful midfielder Ronald Chitiyo and the marauding Chinyama. The big striker was involved in the opening goal when he outwitted three Dongo defenders before releasing a short pass to the unmarked Chitiyo who then curled in a beautiful cross that was directed in by Bulaji in the 28th minute.
After the goal both teams upped the tempo as action was now swinging from both ends as Dongo was searching for an equaliser and DeMbare wanted to stretch the lead.
Dongo striker Elliot Mingiri missed a glorious chance in the 38th minute as he shot wide with only Dynamos goalkeeper Tonderayi Mateyaunga to beat.
From there on Dongo kept on piling pressure and literary set camp in Dynamos’ half. Dynamos had defender Elisha Muroiwa to thank in the 39th minute as he cleared from the line a Physwell Madhazi effort which had eluded Mateyaunga.
Finally the pressure paid off for Dongo in the 41st minute when Tatenda Kateguru rose high to head in a goal from an Evans Chikwaikwai cross with Dynamos defenders ball-watching.
Kateguru almost put the home team into the lead at the stroke of half-time forcing Mateyaunga to scramble for a save as his defence was caught in sixes and sevens. As some fans were still taking their seats for the restart, Dynamos were already celebrating after restoring their lead in the first minute of second half.
The visitors interchanged neat passes from the centre circle and Chinyama curled a fine short beating a diving goalkeeper Farai Samunyai. In the 50th minute, Chitiyo rounded off Chikwaikwai and left him for dead before he came face to face with Dongo keeper, but he directed his shot wide.
Dongo immediately responded with a long ball causing goal mouth melee in DeMbare’s 16 yard box, but Mingiri and Kateguru failed to score with the goal yawning.
A ferocious Godknows Murwira 59th minute free-kick hit the crossbar with Samunyai well beaten. Second half substitute Farai Mupasiri almost scored a sensational goal as his overhead kick missed the target with few inches. Dynamos was forced to make an injury-inspired substitution replacing Mateyaunga with crowd favourite Tatenda Mukuruva.
Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya said the Glamour Boys are looking to end the season on a high note after consolidating their place among the top three. “It was a very difficult match for us. Dongo are not pushovers although they are relegated. They were also aided by the bumpy pitch which they are used to and they used it to their own advantage.
“They also play a very physical game. We started on a very slow pace, but we picked up. We allowed them to come back due to sloppy defending the same way we did against CAPS United. We hope to end the season on a high,” said Ndiraya.
FC Platinum also remained in the hunt despite the slip up. Warriors winger Marshall Mudehwe gave the miners an early lead at Lafarge when he pounced in from the blind side to head home from a free-kick taken by Elvis Moyo 17 minutes into the game.
However, Norman Mapeza’s men could not hold on for maximum points after the hosts staged a superb second half performance that also earned them a vital point in their fight for survival. Flame Lily scored courtesy of a well-struck free-kick by defender Bright Chayambuka in the 76th minute.
But Mapeza indicated the platinum miners will not give up easily in their quest to win their maiden league title. Mapeza said they are still looking to a strong finish in the last two games against CAPS United and Dongo Sawmill. He said the point at Flame Lily was worth their fight as they did not get it on a silver platter.
“We have come a long way. We didn’t do quite well the beginning of the season. So for me to complain now, I think I will be very stupid. “I have to thank God, I have to thank these guys. They have been working so hard. To be where we are today it’s because of hard work. So I don’t have any complaints.
“It’s a good point for us. I am not worried about Chicken Inn or about Dynamos. I am worried about FC Platinum,” said Mapeza. FC Platinum played with so much heart, but they couldn’t really control the game as they struggled with the bumpy playing surface at Lafarge.
The visiting Midlands side love passing the ball around, but they could not adapt well on the dry and uneven surface and had to hang on for their point as they took in a lot of pressure in the second half.
Flame Lily dominated the second half and were deservedly rewarded with the goal after they had come close on several times. Pressure was piling on the visitors and substitute Motion Mponda missed his header on the 66th minute while goalkeeper Petros Mhari did well to save from a free-kick when defender Gift Bello was penalised for his reckless challenge on James Chivasa in the 70th minute. Mapeza said the draw was a point gained rather than two points dropped, considering the state of the pitch.
“This is not a football pitch. I am not complaining because we drew, but the pitch is not okay. I am happy with the point we got here. It was a difficult game like I said before the match. “They were just coming, they were pumping long balls forward. It was difficult, they are used to this pitch. At the end of the day I am very happy with the point. I am proud for the boys, they worked so hard,’’ Mapeza said.
Online Reporter