Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 1
Yadah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 1
SECOND-half substitute Valentine Kadonzvo made a big difference for struggling Harare giants Dynamos as they salvaged a point from the jaws of defeat in a Castle Lager Premiership match against Yadah at Rufaro yesterday.
Kadonzvo struck with just three minutes of regulation time remaining on the clock, after having trailed the Miracle Boys for most of the game, thanks to Evans Rusike’s beautiful conversion in the 30th minute.
But the game could have had a different outlook altogether had Yadah’s star player Khama Billiat buried a one-on-one chance against DeMbare goalkeeper Martin Mapisa moments after the restart.
Yadah coach Thomas Ruzive felt Billiat could have sealed the game for them, but was still happy with the point, which stretched their unbeaten run to four games.
“I think the guys are playing very well and are improving with each game,” said Ruzive.
“I am very happy with an away point against a team like Dynamos.
“We have gone for a couple of games without a loss, and I am happy.
“Of course we defended well the entire game, but we just slept on the wheel in the last minutes.”
But Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe was a bit disappointed as his team failed to make use of home advantage for a second consecutive game at Rufaro.
The last time they played on this turf almost two weeks ago, they suffered a humbling 2-0 defeat to bitter rivals Highlanders.
They had trouble dealing with the pace of Yadah players like Blessed Ndereki, Billiat, Mandlonkosi Mlilo, and King Nadolo. DeMbare had sought to counter threats from Billiat by assigning Shadreck Nyahwa to man-mark the former Zimbabwe international, and they appeared to succeed because of the highly physical approach by the defender.
Ruzive felt PSL players were being unjustifiably hard on their star midfielder.
“I think we have been facing the same problems with many teams. I think it’s not fair because Billiat is a player like any other and should be treated as such, not to have a game plan to injure him. It’s not fair because you will end someone’s career,” said Ruzive.
Still, Yadah were the first to threaten the opponents’ goal with just 17 minutes played. Rusike’s shot was deflected just wide of goal and from the resultant corner kick, DeMbare goalkeeper Mapisa was forced to make an acrobatic save from a snap shot by Nodolo which was heading for the roof.
The Miracle Boys’ persistence paid off when Rusike put Yadah ahead after 30 minutes from a through ball from Ndereki.
Dynamos had two good chances to level matters soon after the break, but strikers Sadney Uri-Khob and substitute Emmanuel Paga took turns to miss, with wild headers off the target.
Yadah could have extended their lead in the 56th minute but Mapisa produced a stunning save when diving to his right to thwart Billiat from point blank after the Dynamos defenders were caught flat-footed in a poor offside trap.
Yadah looked comfortable with their slender lead and frustrated their hosts by slowing down the game. Goalkeeper Marshal Takarinda went down at every opportunity and was booked for his delaying antics.
There was a ray of hope for DeMbare towards the end, though. Kadonzvo, who was introduced as a second-half substitute, brought Dynamos back on level terms with three minutes of regulation time remaining.
The diminutive midfielder took advantage of a defensive lapse by the visitors when Emmanuel Jalai, who had a brilliant afternoon on the pitch, flighted in a high ball that was bundled home at the back post.
Yadah still had time to ask more questions with a quick foray into the DeMbare territory in the dying moments.
Dynamos had goalkeeper Mapisa to thank for his excellent save which denied second half substitute Jerry Chipangura’s rising shot from just inside the box.
Mangombe admitted they had a difficult outing.
“It was a difficult game for us. We failed to play very well in the first half,” he said.
“Of course, we were keeping possession but at the end of the day, it counted for nothing because we didn’t create any scoring chances.
“We were a much better side in the second half because we introduced some pace and intensity, hence we had so many chances in the second half.
“I’m very much worried we are missing clear chances which are easier to score than to miss. In football, poor execution means you don’t score but as a coach, you would need to go back and address those problems so that we start scoring goals. We are having a deficit in terms of conversion,” said Mangombe.
Teams:
Dynamos: Martin Mapisa, Emmanuel Jalai, Kelvin Moyo, Frank Makarati, Shadreck Nyahwa, Donald Mudadi (V. Kadonzvo, 59th min), Frederick Ansa-Botchway (E. Paga, 46th min), Temptation Chiwunga, Emmanuel Ziocha, Sadney Uri-Khob, Elton Chikona (A. Mandinyenya, 76th min)
Yadah: Marshal Takarinda, Emmanuel Chitauro, Anotidaishe Gwatidzo, Marvellous Faranando, Ariel Makopa, Marlon Mushonga, Blessed Ndereki, Mandlenkosi Mlilo (R. Ncube, 76th min), Khama Billiat, King Nadolo (L. Mucheto, 63rd min), Evans Rusike (J. Chipangura, 86th min)
