Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
CHICKEN INN midfielder Joseph Thulani’s spectacular 73rd-minute volley ended Dynamos’ 15-match unbeaten Castle Lager Premiership run as the Gamecocks won 1-0 at Rufaro yesterday, leaving the Glamour Boys 11 points behind leaders Scottland with seven matches remaining.
Quiet for much of the afternoon, Thulani spotted goalkeeper Idrissou Nfor Finia off his line and struck a long-range volley. The back-pedalling goalkeeper got a hand to the ball, but his desperate dive could only help it into the top corner.
The defeat dropped Dynamos one place to fourth on 46 points, eight behind second-placed Hardrock, and handed technical director Aristica Cioaba his first league loss in seven matches in charge.
Their previous league defeat came against CAPS United in May. The Harare rivals meet again in Dynamos’ next match.
Chicken Inn completed a league double over Tonderai Ndiraya’s former paymasters following their 1-0 first-leg victory in Bulawayo.
“What a wonder strike from Joseph Thulani, one that can win you any match. Once that was done, it was just a matter of us managing the game more than anything else,” said Ndiraya.
“We defended well, created good chances and then, of course, that half-chance was taken by Thulani.
“It was a brilliant goal from him, great stuff that we want to see week in, week out.”
The Gamecocks climbed one place to ninth on 37 points, two short of the total they managed last season when they fought relegation.
Before the breakthrough, DeMbare offered little in attack. Chicken Inn central defenders Itai Mabhunu and Mpumelelo Bhebhe dealt comfortably with the high balls and gave goalkeeper Donovan Bernard little to do.
Godknows Dzakpasu sent one of Dynamos’ few first-half efforts just wide from distance in the 38th minute.
DeMbare suffered another setback when top scorer Frank Agyemang went down injured just before half-time.
Nathan Mutasa replaced him at the restart, but the midfielder, who had begun his Dynamos career with a goal and an assist, could not change the game.
Chicken Inn introduced Congolese forward Kankonde Tshisungu at the break. He kept the Dynamos defenders occupied and fired wide after a defensive lapse midway through the second half.
DeMbare appealed for a penalty late on when substitute Perfect Chikwende went down under a challenge near the edge of the box, but the referee waved play on.
Cioaba blamed the defeat on fatigue following the midweek match against Scottland.
“Yes, this is football. Sometimes you win, sometimes draw, sometimes lose. But I’m not going to say anything negative about our players,” said Cioaba.
“They were coming from two games this week. It’s not easy to have the power to play three games in seven days, two of which are hard games.
“Our players were tired. The opponent was physically better than us today, and this was the difference.
“If the players are tired physically, normally they also tire mentally. There was a lack of concentration. We need to rise up and continue our job.”
Teams:
Dynamos: Idrissou Nfor Finia, Abel Gwatidzo, Christopher Nettey, Clive Mandivei, Isaac Landu, Shadreck Nyahwa, Godknows Dzakpasu (Tellmore Pio, 72nd min), Wisdom Mutasa (Ramela Harerimana, 46th min), Leeroy Mavunga (Perfect Chikwende, 72nd min), Ben Daouda Sidibe (Moses Demera, 82nd min), Frank Agyemang (Nathan Mutasa, 46th min).
Chicken Inn: Donovan Bernard, Itai Mabhunu, Brendon Rendo, Mpumelelo Bhebhe, Dangmo Hapmo, Tyrese Hikupembe, Garie Chibika, Thulani Joseph, Junior Makunike, Claude Macharaga (Kankonde Tshisungu, 46th min), Michael Charamba (Farai Tsinakwadi, 90th min).
