DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
BLACK RHINOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
DYNAMOS coach Genesis Mangombe was left frustrated after his team was held to a goaless draw by Black Rhinos at the National Sports Stadium yesterday, in the process failing to capitalise on log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars' slip up, as the race for the league title remains open.
The Harare giants had the chance to close the gap on the leaders to five points after the Mhondoro-based side suffered a shock 1-0 loss at Hwange, but Mangombe's men failed to take their chances.
They were disjointed, looked fatigued and clearly not up to the challenge.
Black Rhinos created the better chances, with Lot Chiwunga hitting the foot of the upright in the second half while Garikai Dematsika had numerous chances to punish the Glamour Boys, but was let down by his poor finishing.
The point does move Dynamos back to second position on the log standings with 50 points but remain seven points behind Ngezi Platinum Stars who now need six points from the remaining four games to clinch their first ever league title.
Yesterday's goalless draw also did little to lift the gloom in Black Rhinos' camp as they remained second from the bottom of the log with 29 points. They might need to win all their remaining four games to stand a chance of surviving relegation.
- Stix in winning start
- Panashe Mutasa comes of age at Tenax FC
- Dynamos back to winning ways
- Ndiraya backs Antonio to impress in Belgium
Keep Reading
Mangombe, who fielded a depleted side due to injuries and suspensions, admitted his team did not perform to the required standards.
He blamed fatigue as the major contributor to yesterday's substandard performance.
“If the opponent is organised and playing for survival, they put in their all. This game was very difficult for us but as a big team like we are, we need to bury the few chances that we create,” Mangombe.
He is, however, adamant that his side still has a chance to nick in and win the title, although he knows it is now a tall order.
“The margin between us and the leaders is not that much, if we can collect maximum points in the remaining matches we can win. But we don't have to continue losing points like this. You can't be a champion if you do like this.”
Black Rhinos coach Saul Chaminuka was distraught that his team could not pick maximum points.
“It's two points lost today. I fail to understand how we failed to win because we created opportunities. We are not convincing in terms of concluding the attacks. But I'm hoping that after today, the next game that we are going to play, we will win. We can still survive relegation, we will fight to the end,” Chaminuka said.
Both teams went into the match desperate for maximum points for two distinct reasons but did not show any hunger in a dull first half where much of the action was concentrated in midfield.
The only talking point of the mundane half arrived in the 45th minute when Lot Chiwunga hit the foot of the upright with an audacious bicycle kick.
A minute later, Dematsika rose high to meet a Valentine Katsande cross, but the effort was cleared off the line by the scampering Dynamos goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa.
Mangombe, who was without regulars Frank Makarati, the Moyo twins Elvis and Kelvin, Tanaka Shandirwa, through a combination of suspension and injuries, made a triple change at the start of the half by bringing in Eli Ilunga, Nyasha Chintuli and Wilmore Chimbetu to try and inject some verve in his team, and it almost paid off when the hosts nearly took the lead in their first attack of the second stanza.
Dynamos: P Tafiremutsa, D Dzvinyai, E Jalai, S Nyahwa, T. Magwaza, J Makunike (D Mukamba, 70'), D Mudadi, I Sadiki (W Chimbetu, 46'), K Madera (E Ilunga, 46'), E Ziocha (N Chintuli, 46'), E Chikona (T Makanda, 70')
Black Rhinos: L Gonese, C Nyakope, D Mutimuzunze, T Mchisa, D Mbewe, K Nyakudanga, G Saunyama (T Matongo, 87'), A Gahadzikwa (S Chikwerengwe, 63'), V Katsande (M Mahodobi, 63'), G Dematsika, L Chiwunga
