Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Dynamos…………………………………………..0 (1)
Scottland…………………………………..……..0 (1)
IT was billed as a rare midweek blockbuster and it delivered on a number of fronts even though, at the end of a titanic battle, Norman Mapeza was fuming.
The fans came, in their numbers, the players delivered two goals, there were big contributions from the boys who crossed the floor.
Emmanuel Jala, facing DeMbare for the first time since leaving the Glamour Boys, had a hand in the Scottland goal.
Nathan Mutasa, who has become something of a posterboy at DeMbare, also had a hand in the equaliser.
His namesake Widsom Mutasa scored the equaliser for Dynamos while Panashe Mutimbanyoka had put Scottland ahead.
Mapeza, though, was fuming after the game.
“We can’t let these guys (match officials) spoil our football like this,” he said.
“I don’t want to talk about it but everybody could see what was going on.
“We can’t be seen to be complaining about the same issues.
“I’ve been quiet while this has been going on, it’s not on, it’s not on.”
He listed some incidents where he claimed the match officials gave them a raw deal.
“They came to us before he game and informed us that if the goalkeeper is injured, no coach is allowed to coach on the touchline, the Dynamos coach is coaching, so why give us those rules if you can’t apply them.
“It was a very good game, in the first half I think we should have done better to bury the game because we had good opportunities where the ‘keeper was on a break and on a good day we would collect maximum points.
“But in the second half, we struggled in the middle, they caught us on the break, it was not like they were really creating something out of anything…we were the better side.
“It’s a point, we take it, on a good day I think we should have won.”
Dynamos coach, Aristica Cioaba, praised his team.
“I have to congratulate my players first for respecting our game plan, looking at the fact that we only had two days to rest and recover I must say this is a fair result,” said Cioaba.
“You could see the drive and passion was maximum, the rhythm excellent and even the opponent made it all exciting because they are a well drilled side, they play a spectacular game.
“Both sides had good moments and a fair share of chances, anyone could have won that game had we utilised the chances created but in the end I think a draw was a fair result.”
Leaders Scottland now have 53 points, three ahead of Hardrock while Dynamos are still in third position with 46 points.
This was probably the biggest and most exciting midweek Premier Soccer League fixture in years.
Almost packed to the rafters, Rufaro was a rainbow of colours yesterday, a cathedral of thousands of fans and a grand theatre of their football dreams.
There was entertainment, flair, intensity and general excitement in the draw.
Scottland almost found a break in the 12th minute when captain Shadreck Nyahwa’s blunder gave Mthokozisi Msebe advantage with the creative midfielder locating a well-positioned Mutimbanyoka who, however, missed the empty target after beating Dynamos ‘keeper Tatenda Makoni.
It became a tightly contested affair of compelling drama, nerves, boundless joy and the fears which kept fans on their feet at the almost filled to capacity ceremonial home of football.
Abel Gwatidzo cheered the Vietnam spirits after finding his way past Jalai and Peter Muduhwa before he crossed into the box but Frank Agyemang’s header was blocked by Nelson Chadya.
Building from the goal kick, Scottland had to bypass the mid before Khama Billiat got possession, shrugging off man-of-the-match Isaac Landu to find the top corner of the net.
However, the linesman had raised his flag for an offside.
DeMbare then shook the crossbar after the break.
Then, Mutimbanyoka finally put the visitors into the lead in the 65th minute off a Jalai cross.
Five minutes later, second half substitute Mutasa’s cross ended with his namesake scoring for DeMbare.
