Dynamos successive wins run ends
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Dynamos successive wins run ends

HOW MINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

DYNAMOS’ run of five successive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League wins ended with a draw at How Mine in a match the Harare giants almost stole at the death.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

The result extended Lloyd Mutasa’s unbeaten run to six matches, as the team’s resurgence continues since the departure of Jorge Paulo Silva.

It was not the best result they desired if their form going into the match is taken into consideration, but Mutasa knows a draw against a Kelvin Kaindu-coached side on the road, is a point gained.

“It was a balanced match and on our part we could not create as much chances as we wanted,” Mutasa said. “We created one or two chances in the first half, but we failed to convert them and if you can’t score, you cannot win matches, but it’s a point gained. You look at the opposition that we played and you look at the venue. It’s not every time you come to Barbourfields Stadium and collect maximum points, so a point away from home is a point gained.”

With the draw, Dynamos, who were again unable to use the returning Denver Mukamba, despite travelling with the team to Bulawayo, because he has not received a reverse clearance from South Africa, remained fourth on the log table with 24 points, three behind third-placed FC Platinum and nine behind leaders Caps United.

After a horrible start to the campaign that saw them dicing with relegation at one point before the technical bench shake-up that promoted Mutasa to the hot seat, Dynamos’ recent form has thrown them right back into the title mix.

However, Mutasa remains coy about his team’s chances of reclaiming the title that was taken away from them by Chicken Inn last season.

“The destiny is not in our hands. You cannot expect Caps United, Highlanders and FC Platinum to falter at one go. For now, it is a matter of us trying to have consistency. Play and get many points as we can, but, as Dynamos family, you cannot say you want to be number two, three and neither number four, but what is important for us is to look at the next game and try to make the most out of it,” the former Kiglon and Hwahwa coach said.

While Dynamos has been smooth sailing in recent times, contrast that to their opponents yesterday, who have been struggling of late and are on an eight-game winless streak.

“It’s a stalemate, but I believe we have dropped two points,” said Kaindu. “We were stronger, defended well, but our final third was not good. The project is not moving. We are stuck and picking points at a very slow pace. We are lacking that drive and fighting spirit.”

How Mine started brightly and could have scored in the 11th minute, but Charles Sibanda’s weak shot from a Pasca Munhanga’s pass inside the penalty box was easily collected by Dynamos goalkeeper, Tatenda Mukuruva.

Dynamos soon settled into the match with Rodreck Mutuma initiating most of the moves, one of his passes finding Tichaona Chipunza, who missed the right upright post by a few centimetres in the 13th minute.

An unmarked young King Nasama also failed to find the mark moments later, after receiving a pass from Masimba Mambare cross.

Then followed a period of How Mine dominance with Timothy January’s effort being cleared off by Carlos Rusere before Manhanga bulldozed his way into the Dynamos penalty box, but dragged his shot wide in 38th minute.

The hosts pressed for a goal for the better part of the second half, but it was the visitors though, who almost snatched it at the death when new boy Simba Gorogodyo was teed-up inside the box, beat his marker to free some space for himself, but then his weak shot could not trouble How Mine goalkeeper, Donovan Benard.

TEAMS

HOW MINE: D Bernard, P Tonha, Q Amini, K Chideu, V Kamhuka, M Sakala, P Manhanga, C Sibanda (G Nguwodzawo 68’), K Musharu, T Masuku (T Banda 56’), T January (A Muganyi 90+’)

DYNAMOS: T Mukuruva, G Murwira, O Mwerahari, S Linyama, S Alimenda, M Mambare, T Chipunza, S Gorogodyo, C Rusere, K Nasama (D Mukandi 87’), R Mutuma (K Nyakasaka 67’)

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