Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango in SHAMVA
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Simba Bhora………………………0
Dynamos……………………….(1) 1
THIS was for Ronald Mujuru.
As one of their biggest fans laid to rest his family, which was killed in a horror car crash last week, Dynamos powered to victory at Wadzanai yesterday.
It needed a wonder strike from Frank Agyemang.
The Ghanaian scored from the halfway mark.
He caught William Thole off his line and let fly from just inside the halfway line in first-half stoppage time.
Thole had gone five games without conceding. Dynamos had never won here. Both records went in one moment.
DeMbare arrived for the match in a good mood after the players received their bonuses, which were doubled by their sponsors, on the eve of the match.
Africabet, who are part of the sponsors at DeMbare, doubled the winning bonus after the company’s officials were happy that the Glamour Boys beat their main business rivals, MWOS, in the midweek game.
Agyemang’s effort, struck with intent and power, proved decisive in a game where chances came but composure separated the two sides.
Dynamos should have led earlier.
In the 42nd minute, Jairos Kasondo stepped up after Witness Shave was brought down by Webster Tafa, but the striker failed to convert from the spot.
It didn’t come back to haunt them.
Moments later, Agyemang stepped in, reacted quickest to a loose ball and spotted Thole off his line.
The execution was clean, the idea bold, and Dynamos had their breakthrough.
Simba Bhora came back strongly after the break. They pushed, stretched the game and asked questions.
Tatenda Makoni had answers.
The Dynamos goalkeeper produced a sharp save to deny Claude Mapoka’s header in the 53rd minute, then stood firm again to keep out substitute Blessed Ndereki as the hosts chased a way back.
At the other end, Dynamos nearly sealed it late on.
Agyemang struck the crossbar in the 86th minute before Simba Bhora scrambled clear with Leeroy Mavunga waiting to tap into an empty net.
Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe liked what he saw, but kept his message grounded.
“We understand that we play for Dynamos. Whenever you play for this club, you want to win. So at times when you are consistent like this, I think it shows that we have some positives.
“What we need to do is consolidate on the good things we are actually doing, that is, collecting maximum points.
“We will try and tell the team that it’s still only game one. We have a lot of games to go, so we need to work very hard.
“We need to make sure that in every game, we are better than the previous one.”
He added:
“Frank got it (right), catching the goalkeeper off his line. I am happy with that. It means he was moving with the play, seeing that the goalkeeper was offline.
“After winning that ball, he got his shot away and it was a goal. The thing is, at training we always say we need to be alert all the time.
“We should have maybe buried them too if Leeroy was on his toes. So, at times you need to be alert and make sure that you respond to the demands of the game in every situation,” he said.
Simba Bhora coach Mandla Mpofu felt his side deserved more, especially after the break.
“There was good football today from both sides, which was good for our fans, and I think they really enjoyed it. We conceded for the first time, but I thought we had a better performance, especially in the second half.
“We had two good opportunities. I thought we could have done better, two one-on-one chances.
“Again, I spoke to the boys about how this would be a game of mistakes, I think we have done better in terms of service but, again, a brilliant goal from Dynamos,” said Mpofu.
Teams
Simba Bhora: W Thole, W Tafa, N Tsabora, T Chipunza (T Mandinyenya 87’), B Ncube, A Silla (S Damaseb, 66’), L Chaziya (K Eib, 44’), I Nyanhi, N Tigere (B Ndereki, 66’), C Mapoka, T Naweseb (H Masina, 66’).
Dynamos: T Makoni, C Nettey, A Gwatidzo, H Chapusha, C Mujuru, T Pio, P Chikwende (L Mavunga, 72’), S Nyahwa, W Shave (S Billiat, 72’), J Kasondo (M Mlilo, 85’), F Agyemang (E Njini, 90+4’).
MATCHDAY 6
Yesterday
Caps United 2-0 Manica Diamonds, Simba Bhora 0-1 Dynamos
Today
AGAMA v MWOS (Wadzanai), Chicken Inn v FC Hunters (B/F), FC Platinum v Bulawayo Chiefs (Mandava), Scottland v Highlanders (Rufaro), Triangle v Hardrock (Gibbo), ZRP Kariba v TelOne (Nyamhunga),
Tomorrow
Herentals v Ngezi Platinum (Rufaro)
I think it’s absolutely insensitive for anyone to associate the loss in the Mujuru family with matters such as football. It’s just too insensitive. Football and such a loss can NEVER be related in any way. Have a heart and desist from such inhumane behaviour.