DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
CAPS UNITED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
DYNAMOS completed a rare Castle Lager Premier Soccer League double over Caps United as Nyasha Chintuli's first half header secured maximum points and bragging rights in front of a good crowd at the National Sports Stadium which welcomed back topflight for the first time since June.
The 22nd minute strike ensured DeMbare maintained their quest for the league title. The win took them to fifth place on the log table with 39 points, nine behind log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars with 10 matches remaining.
That gap is set to be slashed to six points if the Genesis Mangombe-coached side are awarded points from their abandoned match against Highlanders.
A ninth game without a win for Caps United means the Lloyd Chitembwe-coached side are now dangerously two points off the relegation zone with 27 points.
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Mangombe was thrilled with the win over their prime enemy.
“We are happy to win this match because Caps United is a good team. We scored and managed to protect the lead. I'm happy with that,” a delighted Mangombe said.
“We wanted it more, especially in the first half and had we been clinical, we could have scored three goals. What is more pleasing was that after scoring, we kept on pushing to try and create more chances. That limited their entries into our box in the first half. In the second half, they wanted it more than us, but we made sure that we don't concede. Winning a derby like this shows that we are doing something correct, and we are in the right direction.”
Chitembwe was full of praise for his boys despite, the deflating defeat.
“It was a game of two halves,” Chitembwe said.
“They dominated us in the first half and we went on to dominate the second. In the first half we were giving them so many spaces and were able to play in between our lines. We made tactical changes in the second half and we were able to take control of the game. We created some good opportunities, unfortunately we couldn't score.
“In terms of performance, we were OK. It wasn't that bad, but of course at the end of the day football is all about results. This performance gives us the confidence to go out there and play the next game believing we can win it.”
The Green machine, naturally low on confidence due to their recent form, were shaky in the opening stages, sitting deep and allowing Dynamos space to move the ball around in midfield.
But it was Chitembwe's men who created the first clear cut chance of the match on 20th minute when William Manondo forced an acrobatic save from goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa.
A minute later, Dynamos took the lead.
A quick and sharp interchange of passes started by Tanaka "Kante" Shandirwa involving the lively Donald Mudadi, released Emmanuel Ziocha on the right who rounded off the Caps goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga, but his shot from a tight angle hit the upright.
The ball fortuitously bounced back to the former Harare City man who cleverly lobbied it over the defenders on to the head of Chintuli who planted it home through the hands of Mateyaunga.
Teams
Dynamos: P Tafiremutsa, E Jalai, K Moyo, E Moyo, F Makarati, T Shandirwa (M Magwaza, 87'), D Mudadi (A Musiiwa, 65'), J Makunike, E Ziocha (D Mukamba, 87') Madera (J Bakari, 65'), N Chintuli (T Makanda, 87')
Caps United: T Mateyaunga, G Murwira, I Zambezi, K Madzongwe, L Mangaira, J Ngodzo (R Chinyengetere, 47'), I Nyoni (P Bhamusi, 70'), J Thulani, B Sarupinda, W Manondo, C Rupiya