admin
From Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC Platinum………………….(2)2
Dynamos………………………….0
JUST three days after they were sent crashing out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup, champions Dynamos’s miserable run continued yesterday when their Premiership title hopes suffered a major setback at Mandava when FC Platinum handed them their fourth defeat of the season.
The wheels just seem to have come off at the wrong time for Dynamos as the defeat in yesterday’s game saw them surrender pole position to old enemies Highlanders, who opened a two-point lead following a ruthless 4-1 destruction of Tripple B at Barbourfields.
FC Platinum had not beaten Dynamos in the league and cup competitions since gaining promotion into the top-flight in 2011, but maybe it needed a former DeMbare son — Lloyd Mutasa — to conjure up the magic that ended Kugona Kunenge Kudada’s wait to overcome the Harare giants.
The hosts took the lead just when some fans at a packed Mandava were still trying top find their seats with defender Elvis Moyo getting the opener in the first minute.
Warriors forward, Charles Sibanda, then gave the miners the comfort they needed to settle into the match when he converted a 25th minute penalty.
Dynamos may have slid into second place but they now have the same number of points — 42 — as third placed Harare City and FC Platinum, a move that blew the league race wide open.
Dark horses CAPS United are now fifth with 39 points following their 2-1 triumph over Chicken Inn at the National Sports Stadium.
But it is their first defeat to FC Platinum and their fourth this season that heaped more pressure on DeMbare coach Callisto Pasuwa and his out-of-form charges as they battle for a third successive Premiership title.
The champions just seem to have lost their way and have not won a match since their late, late 1-0 victory over Tripple B in a Mbada Daimonds Cup first round match on neutral Gibbo.
Dynamos, terrible on the road all season, were handed their heaviest defeat by Hwange who hammered them 4-2 at the Colliery before ailing Monomotapa restricted them to a 0-0 draw at Rufaro.
How Mine then arrived at Rufaro for a cup game and left DeMbare stunned with a 1-0 win.
There was to be no immediate respite yesterday as Mutasa, who in his coaching career had not beaten Dynamos, celebrated his first triumph over the team that he previously played for and coached.
FC Platinum commanded the midfield battle for the entire first half had Sibanda slicing a pass to Nelson Maziwisa, who in turn, spotted Michelle Katsvairo on the right.
The former Gunners player obliged with a cross that was met with a firm header by Moyo and went past Dynamos goalkeeper George Chigova.
With Dynamos still trying to find out what had hit them, they conceded a penalty in controversial circumstances.
Suspect Mutare referee Langtion Chitsa awarded the hosts a penalty after he adjudged that Ocean Mushure had hacked down Katsvairo in the box although the incident happened outside the area.
Dynamos players tried in vain to protest the decision but the match official stood his ground and Sibanda converted when he sent Chigova the wrong way in the 25th minute.
The champions could have pulled one back in the 28th minute but Simba Sithole, who is yet to regain his form, headed wide a Russell Madamombe free-kick outside the FC Platinum area.
The Harare giants captain Tawanda Muparati then saw his header cleared off the line after he had beaten goalkeeper Francis Tizayi.
After the breather, FC Platinum could have increased their tally in the 52nd minute when former Hwange midfielder Winston Mhango released a scorcher from a free-kick awarded to the miners on the right but he saw his effort tipped over the bar by Chigova.
Two minutes after the miss, it was Maziwisa’s turn to put the scores beyond the reach of Dynamos when he was sent through by Katsvairo but with Chigova at his mercy and the visitors’ defence nowhere in sight, he sent his effort into the skies.
Pasuwa was then forced to make a double substitution introducing Stephen Alimenda and Benjamin Marere for Thomas Magorimbo and Cliff Sekete.
Following the introduction of Alimenda, there was mobility in the Dynamos team but the players looked as if all the energy had been sucked out of them and in most instances, they were just lifeless.
FC Platinum chased every ball and were always the first on the ball with Dynamos players lacking the zeal and confidence that is required for such a big institution, which has collected more accolades on the domestic scene than any other club.
Since losing to Shabanie Mine, Hwange and How Mine, DeMbare fans were left wondering whether their team can’t just beat a mining team on the road this season.
Mhango, Thabani Kamusoko, captain Daniel Veremu, Rapheal Muduviwa, Zambian import Aaron Katebe and Simon Shoko were full of running the whole afternoon and ensured the hosts were full value for their win.
Katebe, who enjoys playing on the bigger stage, at one point displayed what he is made of when he dribbled past substitute Clive Kawinga not once but twice, much to the delight of FC Platinum fans.
Oscar Machapa was failing to even control the ball and on occasions that he did, the big defender failed to deliver crosses.
Magorimbo and Sekete were nowhere in the game and yesterday, it was just a different Dynamos from the one their fans are accustomed to.
Ugandan Boban Zirintusa could have probably done better to a team whose below par showing was worsened by some dubious refereeing decisions.
Pasuwa was a very worried man after yesterday’s match.
“It was another bad day in office. We are lacking confidence as Dynamos, FC Platinum were fighting for every ball and we failed to do the same. We are trying our level best to grind out a victory.
“I have been psyching these players every day. After losing this afternoon, I am going to fight until the end but it’s not a healthy situation. If you are not winning, pressure will always come at Dynamos and I am disappointed that we are failing to score from open play,” said Pasuwa.
Mutasa was on cloud nine.
“It is very good for the institution and I just want to advise you that records are meant to be broken. Dynamos made me to be what I am today and I respect them and I am just fortunate to beat the.
“I was looking at the three points that was at stake and I am happy that my charges came to the party” said Mutasa
Teams:
FC Platinum: F Tizayi, D Veremu, E Moyo, A Katebe, S Shoko,T Kamusoko , M Katsvairo (W Ndiweni 85th ), N Maziwisa(O Chirwa 64th ) W Mhango, C Sibanda(M Mudehwe 74th ), R Muduviwa
Dynamos: G Chigova, O Machapa, O Mushure, G Bello, P Jaure, T Magorimbo (S Alimenda 62nd),T Muparati,C Sekete (B Marere 62nd), R Madamombe, W Pakamisa, S Sithole(C Kawinga 50th)
Online Reporter