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Dynamos record consecutive League wins for first time this season

DYNAMOS striker Patrick Kumbula rose from the bench to plant a firm header that gave his team a priceless win against a battling Monomotapa who finished this Castle Lager Premiership soccer tie at Rufaro yesterday with 10 men.

Kumbula jumped to connect a cross sent in by Gift Bello, beating goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi in the 69th minute as the Harare giants chalked up their second consecutive win in the championship race.
The striker was barely on the field of play for three minutes as he had been introduced in the 66th minute for the wasteful Rodrick Mutuma.

Dynamos have now moved into seventh position on the log with 11 points, while Motor Action are topping the table with 16 points.
Centreback Bello engineered the goal against the run of play when he came on a strong run on the right flank before whipping in a high cross into the box that found a well positioned Kumbula to nod it into the net.

The goal livened up the Vietman stand as some Dynamos fans had resigned to the possibility of a draw.
Monomotapa defender Dominic Mukandi was sent off in the 83rd minute for a second bookable offence.

Earlier in the game, referee Ronald Mwanjira had flashed a yellow card to Mukandi before the defender fouled Martin Vengesayi as Monomotapa were looking for an equaliser.
It could have got worse for Monomotapa as Farayi Vimisayi also struck the back of the net after yet another delivery from Bello in the 72nd minute but the effort was ruled out for off-side.

Bello exchanged neat passes with David Kutyauripo before laying the ball for Vimisayi who hit a rising shot but his celebrations were short-lived as the goal was disallowed.
However, it appeared DeMbare’s goal had unsettled Monomotapa as they were back-pedaling and Mukandi pulled Vengesayi as he charged towards goal. It was a stupid foul from the defender, which killed all the rhythm Monomotapa could have had of fighting for an equaliser.

With the numerical advantage, Dynamos held on for dear life as Monomotapa sought to rescue a point.
But former champions Monomotapa could only have themselves to blame as they wasted a handful of chances that came their way in the first half.
Monomotapa settled down early as they probed Washington Arubi in the second minute.

Later, Makai Kawashu gained space inside the box after being fed by leftback Hillary Mugoniwa but sent his effort just wide.
Monomotapa also carved open the Dynamos defence after Vimisayi needlessly lost possession while Nicholas Alifandika did not help matters in the recovery.
Brian Mapfumo made a strong surge on the left and then spotted Kawashu who beat George Magariro to set up Mkululi Moyo for another raid.

Moyo, however, directed his effort wide while in the 10th minute Joseph Mutambiranwa sent a searching ball inside the box that Kawashu failed to connect.
Dynamos came out of their slumber in the 15th minute when midfielder Vimbai Madamombe pulled the trigger from the centre circle but his effort lacked precision.

William Kupera also let go a powerful shot from the edge of the box but could not hit the intended target.
But the best chance for Dynamos fell to the overrated Mutuma who missed with only the net to hit.

Vimisayi dazzled his marker on the left and passed to Denver Mukamba who sent a cross that found Mutuma with the goal at his mercy.
But he missed from close range, opting to direct his effort wide.

Mutuma also spurned another chance in the 24th minute when he was a shade too slow in the box and allowed Tendai Ngulube to thwart the raid.
At least there was no pressure for Dynamos in yesterday’s as bitter rivals CAPS United had been floored by champions Motor Action 2-0 at the same venue on Saturday.

At the end of the day, Monomotapa coach Taurai Mangwiro rued the missed chances in the first half.
“We should have buried Dynamos in the first half but we failed to convert the chances that came our way. I worked before with some of the guys at Dynamos and thought we had done our homework.

“We should have buried Dynamos in the first half but unfortunately it did not work for us,” he said.
Mangwiro believes they lost the match in midfield.

“We needed to fight in the midfield duels inorder for us to win this match and that’s why we fielded captain Tendai Samanja although he was not 100 percent fit.
“Samanja had been training with a knock during the week but we needed him. Unfortunately it did not work out,” said Mangwiro.

Dynamos assistant coach Ralph Kawondera hoped his team would remain consistent after scrapping to yesterday’s victory.
Dynamos came into the match high on confidence after a 5-1 drubbing of Masvingo United in their last league game.
“We have to keep on winning. T

“There are still 23 games in the league and we have to be consistent in the other games,” said Kawondera.
Kawondera admitted that they were worried when they played second fiddle to Monomotapa in the first half but believes the turning point was the introduction of Vengesayi and Kumbula.

“We were a little worried as they dominated us in the first half.
“Monomotapa are a very good side but we played better in the second half,” said Kawondera.

Teams

Monomotapa: A. Mukandi, B. Mapfumo, H. Mugoniwa, T. Samanja (R. Chitiyo 67th minute), M. Moyo (M. Dumbura 71st minute), J. Mutambiranwa, K. Machona, D. Mukandi, M. Kawashu (O. Mukuradare 53rd minute), T. Ngulube, T. Munyanduri.
Dynamos: W. Arubi, A. Mbara, G. Bello, D. Kutyauripo, N. Alifandika (M. Vengesayi 46th minute), G. Magariro, F. Vimisayi, W. Kupera (D. Chafa 58th minute) V. Madamombe, R. Mutuma (P. Kumbula 66th minute), D. Mukamba.