Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . 0
Manica Diamonds . . . 0
Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigowe was forced to field a makeshift team against Manica Diamonds on Sunday amid player mutiny in his camp which saw a number of senior regular players missing the game.
The Dynamos coach was forced to make six changes in his lineup from the team that faced ZPC Kariba last week.
The Moyo twins, Elvis and Kevin, Tanaka Shandirwa and Ansa Botchway were not in the matchday squad to join Martin Mapisa and Emmanuel Jalai who are away on national duty.
Utility player Fred Alick excused himself to attend to a family problem.
Chigowe refused to comment on the absentees and the problems currently bessetting the team, which saw players refusing to train on Friday pressing for their allowances.
He said their absence has opened doors for youngsters in the squad to stake claim to positions in the team.
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Teenager Vusa Ngwenya was thrown into the starting eleven yesterday playing in the right back position where he gave a very good account of himself.
"Unfortunately, I'm not at liberty to disclose the challenges we are facing but of course we also introduced a young nugget Vusa Ngwenya," Chigowe said. "When other guys decide to take a back seat it's now time for the youngsters to take up responsibility for the team. We hope to introduce more youngsters in the next game who should be able to carry the team forward. Hopefully, the internal issues will be resolved soon."
Victory could have seen Dynamos boosting their chances of finishing in the top four.
However, they huffed and puffed all afternoon in a perfomance which probably summed up their league season this term.
"It's been a season of ups and downs, not as smooth as we would have wanted but in the end we settle for what is on the table. We still in with a chance to finish in the top four," Chigove said.
The Harare giants created just two meaningful chances in the entire minutes.
Emmanuel Ziocha fired just wide from inside the job after some neat exchanges with Donald Mudadi amd Ngwenya early in the half.
Mudadi then aimed his shot straight at Manica Diamonds goalkeeper Tedius Baye from a good position.
"It was a tough match for both sides. We did create one scoring opportunity which we should have taken. In games of this magnitude if you don't take your chances sometimes you pay dearly. It's good that at the end of it all we managed to settle for a goalless draw," the Dynamos coach added.
DeMbare, who has a game in hand against Ngezi Platinum Stars, are on seventh position with 46 points, and will probably need to win the remaining two matches to end the season in the top four.
Fourth placed Manica Diamonds missed an opportunity to jump Ngezi Platinum into third position with this draw.
The Manicaland based side are on 51 points, the same tally as Ngezi going into their final game of the season against Bulawayo Chiefs at Sakubva Stadium.
They had chances to win yesterday's matches but wasted the opportunities that came their way.
Charles Teguru failed to punish Dynamos goalkeeper Makoni who had dropped a cross.
His tame shot was cleared off the line and moments later, Gerald Bero drew a smart save from Makoni.
In the second half, Brett Amidu stung the palms of the hosts goalkeeper from a long range freekick.
Manica Diamonds coach Jairosi Tapera said he was happy with the progress his team is making, and is confident that they will meet their target of finishing in the top four.
"Dynamos played like what we expected them," Tapera said. "We were so much organised defensively. We controlled all the situations and they could not break us from their movements. We restricted them to shots from outside the box. We had some chances in the first half that I thought we could have scored one or two. But I'm very much satisfied with my team not only today but the whole season. We have risen to be one of the big teams in the league. We still have a chance to finish in the top four."
Teams
Dynamos: T Makoni, D Dzvinyai, F Makarati, T Magwaza, V Ngwenya, T Chiwunga, D Mudadi (E Paga, 60'), S Nyahwa, V Kadonzvo (E Ilunga, 68'), A Mandinyenya (Urikhob, 85'), E Ziocha (A Musiiwa, 85').
Manica Diamonds: T Baye, L Masibera, T Jubani, F Banda, T Chisi, L Chakoroma (N Mupinduki, 66'), J Takunda, B Amidu (E Karembo, 85'), C Teguru (M Tapera, 66'), G Bero, E Katema (T Macheke, 66')
