Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Dynamos 1-1 Ngezi Platinum
DYNAMOS finally clawed their way out of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League relegation zone after a drama-filled 1-1 draw with 10-man Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
The result, though far from convincing, was enough to lift DeMbare to 15th on the table with 33 points, level with Triangle, Chicken Inn and Bikita Minerals. Goal difference now separates the four sides in what’s shaping into a tense relegation scrap with four matches left.
The game itself had everything; chaos, controversy and confrontation.
Ngezi struck first in the 10th minute through Talent Chamboko, who pounced on a loose ball inside the box. But Dynamos found an unlikely equaliser in the 35th minute after Brooklyn Katumba, attempting to clear a routine cross, lobbed the ball over his own goalkeeper and into the net.
What followed was confusion. As the ball crossed the line, referee Lawrence Zimondi appeared to have whistled for a foul, but his assistant flagged for a goal. After a brief consultation, Zimondi awarded the goal, prompting furious protests from the Ngezi bench.
That chaos escalated. Ngezi coach Takesure Chiragwi was shown a red card for dissent, sparking heated scenes on the touchline. In the commotion, Chiragwi appeared to strike midfielder McDonald Makuwe with a slap on the right cheek.
Moments later, Ngezi’s woes deepened when Leslie Kashitigu received a second yellow card for bringing down Jairos Kasondo, denying a clear scoring chance.
Despite having a numerical advantage for the entire second half, Dynamos failed to capitalise. Substitutes, including veteran Denver Mukamba, couldn’t turn possession into a winner. Still, the point was enough to pull the Glamour Boys above the drop zone for the first time in weeks.
Dynamos coach Kelvin Kaindu said the result was acceptable given how the game unfolded.
“A point is better than nothing, though we always hope for maximum points,” said Kaindu. “To be honest, we have to be grateful for the draw. Tactically and technically, they were the better side today.
“We started poorly and conceded a soft goal from a corner after giving away three in the first 10 minutes. We fought back and created some chances. With a bit of luck, we might have scored.
“But even when they went down to ten men, we struggled. A team with a player down often works with extra energy and they continued to control the midfield and threatened us on the counter.
“Our transitions weren’t good enough, and despite changing our formation and making substitutions, nothing really worked for us today.”
Chiragwi, meanwhile, admitted emotions ran high but took positives from the performance.
“Football is always an emotional game, but we fought against all odds and secured the result we needed,” he said.
“In the end, we won that battle and earned a crucial point.
“In the first half, I felt we were in control. We possessed the ball well, used the half-spaces and created scoring opportunities. With a bit more luck, we could have been two up at halftime.
“The second half presented a significant challenge when we were reduced to 10 men. But we stayed focused, controlled our emotions and got back to playing our game.”
