Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium
Dynamos 1-1 Simba Bhora
IN what turned out to be a rare moment on the local football scene, a late equaliser by Dynamos was celebrated by a large section of fans housed at the Soweto end.
The stand is well known for housing die hard Highlanders supporters who on a normal day would prefer their bitter rivals, Dynamos to lose.
This time around the tables had turned, Bosso fans had every reason to celebrate their bitter rivals comeback as it gives them an advantage on the log standings going into their game against Ngezi Platinum this afternoon.
Simba Bhora dropping two points meant that they surrendered the top spot to FC Platinum who are now on 45 points while Simba Bora they are on 44 points.
Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum both have a chance to close the gap at the top when they square off this afternoon at the same venue.
Simba Bhora went in front first through Webster Tafa after 33 minutes of play. Tafa converted from close range a rebound Tymon Machope headed effort which had come off the post.
Dynamos would equalise through Sydney Urikhob with seven minutes left to play. The Namibian striker capitalised on a defensive mistake to get the important equaliser.
In the late stages of the game, Dynamos proved to be the superior side and interim coach Llyod Chigowe was happy with his team’s performance.
“They were a team at the top of the table. Dynamos is a top team and we have to continuously demonstrate that we are a top level team in the country. I am happy with the performance of the team to have to come from behind. You could see Simba were actually playing for time in the second-half but there is still work to be done,” said Chigowe.
Simba Bhora coach Tonderayi Ndiraya blamed his side’s not up to par performance on a flu bug which hit the team leading to the game.
“Firstly, I think it was difficult for us because we came into the game with most of our guys hit by a flu virus. Our captain Walter Musona had to fly in today as he was down with flu. I am sure you saw today that he was not himself.
“Almost 90 percent of the team was hit by the flu bug but there was nothing we could do. We had to play the game. Because of the issues that I have mentioned we could not go pound for pound with Dynamos which is why we had to take a defensive approach but unfortunately we conceded from a defensive mistake,” said Ndiraya.
Dynamos forced a corner kick inside the first minute of the game as they tried to assert themselves early on. Simba Bhora easily dealt with the danger and that was all the threat Dynamos could prove to be in the entire first-half.
After 12 minutes of play, Musona stood behind a free-kick way outside the box and sent into the box an inviting ball which Frank Makarati cleared out of danger though conceding corner-kick in the process.
The resultant corner-kick saw Tafa try to convert with an overhead kick on the rebound which, however, went wide.
With 28 minutes played, Machope made a superb turn in the box but his shot at goal was blocked by charging Dynamos defenders and on the rebound Mthokozisi Msebe sent his effort over the bar.
Talbert Shumba made a brilliant low save to deny Elton Chikona on the stroke of half-time before another great save to deny Aexander Mandinyenya with the last kick of the first half.
His saves drew praises from his teammates on the half-time whistle as they flooded him showing appreciation for his great effort.
The second-half belonged to Dynamos who dominated possession but were let down by their poor conversion rate.
At the end of the game, Dynamos fans chanted the names of coach Chigowe and right back Emmanuel Jalai who gave a stellar performance on the day. – @innocentskizoe.
Online Reporter