DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 2
FC PLATINUM . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .0
DYNAMOS produced an outstanding performance to stun FC Platinum and probably snuff out any lingering hopes of winning the title in a league match at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
The result leaves log leaders Simba Bhora on the brink of clinching the Castle Premier Soccer League crown.
The Norman Mapeza-coached side needed a response after Simba Bhora's 2-1 win over Caps United on Saturday opened a nine-point lead, but FC Platinum were desperately disappointing and well beaten.
They were fortunate to lose by just two goals against the impressive hosts, who secured a deserved win through quick fire goals from Emmanuel Ziocha in the 21st minute and Valentine Kadonzvo two minutes later.
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Indeed, the victory margin should have been even wider as FC Platinum looked vulnerable to DeMbare's pace on the counter.
The defeat left Mapeza's team nine points behind Simba Bhora who now need to avoid a defeat at relegated Arenel Movers on Wednesday to lift their maiden premier league title in their second season in the topflight.
Mapeza conceded their title hopes are over.
"We tried but we did not create enough opportunities," said Mapeza whose team failed to force a single save on Dynamos' second choice keeper Tatenda Makoni in the match.
“It is a game of football, we have been fighting so hard from the beginning of the season. I never thought we would be here, we had so many issues to deal with. Some of the boys who played today we got them from Division One and are showing a lot of maturity so I don't have to blame the players for the loss today."
Dynamos interim coach Lloyd "Mablanyo" Chigowe was full of praise for his team after they produced one of their best performances of the season.
"This team has got great potential if well managed... if all their welfare is attended to and they don't have any issues, they can challenge any side in this country. If you saw even the run they had in the Confederation Cup, it shows it was not a fluke.
"We knew that FC Platinum always come guns blazing so we allowed them to come forward and then we hit them. For sure we hit them and we feel we could have done that on three or four occasions but in the end we played tactically good football, managed to absorb the pressure which was key for us."
Victory boosts seventh-placed Dynamos' chances of finishing in the top four.
The Harare giants, who have played a game less, have 44 points, three behind Highlanders who sit fourth.
Following Simba Bhora's win on Saturday, FC Platinum was presented with an opportunity to respond and cut the gap to six points, with three matches remaining.
With a heavy weight of expectation, FC Platinum never came to the party and will have no complaints about the outcome.
They had all the possession of the ball, but looked clueless every time they got into the forward positions.
Chigowe set his side up perfectly and looked a real threat every time they broke on the counter.
The first goal arrived when possesion was turned over in the Dynamos half. A high ball was hoofed onto the path of Ziocha who sprinted into the opposition box before teeing Donald Mudadi who tried to beat his marker but the ball tangled into his feet.
The chance looked to be gone, but Mudadi somehow managed to poke the ball back to Ziocha who drilled past goalkeeper David Bizabani from a tight angle.
The goal celebrations had barely died down when Dynamos attacked again. Another high ball from defence released the exciting Freddy Alick on the right who stormed to the byline before squeezing a low shot accross goal which was turned home by Kadonzvo on the blind side.
Chances continued to fall for Dynamos with Kadonzvo, Mudadi and Ziocha all wasting glorious opportunities in the first half.
That pattern of play continued into the second half with FC Platinum allowed to knock the ball around while Dynamos looked dangerous every time they stole possession.
Kadonzvo wasted a glorious opportunity to increase his side’s lead when he was slipped through on 50th minute to run clear on goal, but the winger tried to round off the keeper who intercepted the ball.
So disappointing was FC Platinum that their best chance came on 89th minute when former Dynamos player Jarrison Selemani got to an end of a cross inside a crowded box, which he guided horribly wide.
Teams
Dynamos: T Makoni, D Dzvinyai, F Makarati, E Moyo, F Alick, S Nyahwa, F Botchway (T Chiwunga, 75'), D Mudadi (D Musiiwa, 83'), T Shandirwa (N Chinyerere, 75'), V Kadonzvo (E Paga, 62'), E Ziocha (I Sadiki, 83').
FC Platinum: D Bizabani, B Nzori, R Pavari, M Ndlovu, H Magaya, D Mhindirira (A Chirinda, 85'), J Mutudza (S Mhlanga, 61'), P Shoko, O Bhebhe (J Selemani, 40'), D Marowa (B Kusinyera, 61'), P Mutimbanyoka