Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2 Mutare City . . . . . . . . . . 0
DYNAMOS enhanced their chances of a top four finish after overcoming Mutare City in a Castle Lager Premiership match before a near-empty Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
With ZPC Kariba falling to Bulawayo City at Barbourfields, the victory saw the Glamour Boys claiming fourth position on the league table with 43 points, two ahead of Sunday Chidzambwa’s team with two matches left in the campaign. Mutare City remained in the drop zone only ahead of bottom placed Border Strikers.
The Harare giants raced into the lead on four minutes with Rodreck Mutuma profiting from a set up by Peace Makaha.
His initial effort was blocked by goalkeeper Victor Twalik but the lanky striker recovered quickly to put the ball behind the nets.
The visitors, however, refused to be cowed into submission with Stephen Sibanda forcing Dynamos goalkeeper Ashley Reyners into a fine save on 19 minutes.
A minute later Mutuma could have doubled the lead but missed a headed opportunity.
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Still Mutare City could have equalised on 32 minutes but Agrippa Murimba was guilty of a miss as his effort was blocked by Dynamos goalkeeper Reyners following a set up by Gurure.
In the second half, Dynamos though not convincing, remained in control of proceedings and Bret Amidu had his effort saved by the keeper on 56 minutes.
Sibanda also forced Reyners into another save with a powerful shot on 65 minutes.
On 69 minutes, both coaches Taku Shariwa and Mutasa introduced a fresh pair of legs with the Mutare City coach throwing in Hibron Makukutu for Bright Majamanda, while Mutasa introduced Mukandi for Mambare.
However, it was Mutasa’s tactical substitution which paid off as Mukandi latched on to a rebound after Mutuma’s header was parried away by the keeper, to drill a low shot to bag maximum points.
Mutasa was happy to collect maximum points and expressed confidence with two matches left they could finish in the top four.
“Last time we scored three goals, today we scored two and I think it’s positive development for the team. There were times when Mutare City tried to get a goal from crosses using their height but we were equal to the task, we defended very well. I think the top four finish is something we have control over now that ZPC Kariba slipped,” said Mutasa.
His counterpart Shariwa remains confident of surviving relegation. “Everyday we have to fight. It’s just two games so we have try and redeem ourselves in our next match against Harare City,” said Shariwa.
Teams:
Dynamos; A Reyners, P Makaha, O Mushure, O Mwerahari, M Machazani, T Chipunza, D Mukamba, B Amidu, M Mambare, (D Mukanga 69), T Sadiki (V Ndaba 46), R Mutuma
Mutare City; V Twaliki, M Tapatapa, V Madamombe, E Sinamupata, M Sako, C Ngondonga, R Madamombe, K Gurure, B Majamanda, (H Makukutu 69), A Murimba, (F Muza 81) S Sibanda
