Zimpapers Logo

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
How Mine 0-1 Dynamos

A second half fluke goal by Walter Mukanga was enough for defending Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Dynamos to collect maximum points on their first visit to Bulawayo this season.

The impressive midfielder got his second of the season for DeMbare nine minutes into the second half when he poked the ball past How Mine’s goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya during a goalmouth melee to send thousands of Dynamos fans into song and dance at Barbourfields Stadium.

Former Highlanders winger Masimba Mambare was the architect of the solitary goal at Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of soccer when he won the ball just after the centre line.

Mambare threaded a pass to Dominic Chungwa on the right whose cross into the box How Mine defenders failed to clear and while challenging for the ball, Mukanga fell to the ground and by chance the ball fell to his feet and he poked the ball home.

“It wasn’t an easy match because we played a good team. It was difficult but I’m happy that we won the game without some of our players either on national duty or injured. Of course we’re not scoring many goals but we managed to create chances,” said Dynamos coach, David Mandigora.

The Harare giants were the first to settle forcing four corners in the first quarter.

Mambare, playing his first match at Barbourfields Stadium since moving to Dynamos at the beginning of last season, was a thorn in the flesh for How Mine and was unlucky in the 11th minute when his perfect cross into the box caught strikers Chungwa and Kelvin Bulaji flatfooted.

With How Mine forced to defend deep, DeMbare could have punished them through Ocean Mushure whose spectacular corner kick was headed away at the goal line by Thembani Masuku.

The gold miners could have felt robbed in the 25th minute when Mushure handled in the box as he tried to head away a Morris Kadzola cross but referee Jimmy Makwanya and first assistant referee Tione Kacheche who were close to action let play continue.

Six minutes later, How Mine had their first real scoring opportunity fall to veteran Menard Mupera who came face-to-face with Dynamos’ goalie Tatenda Mukuruva after being set through by Godfrey Nguwodzawo but headed straight to the goalkeeper. It was a brilliant save from the Young Warriors’ goalkeeper.

Minutes later, Mukuruva rose high to tip the ball that was intended for Limited Chikafa on the blind side and in the process kept the visitors in the game.

Dynamos were doing all the basics right, building from the back where they have captain Augustine Mbara partnering Sydney Linyama in central defence while Mushure and Blessing Moyo played as wingbacks.

Milton Makopa did his defensive midfield duties well while Mukanga, Mambare and Oscar Machapa were also doing well in the midfield but their biggest undoing was their strikers Chungwa and Bulaji who lacked potency.

With a bit of luck, Mukanga could have given Dynamos a lead going into the break but his header off a perfect Mushure free kick was easily collected by an alert Diya.

Just like they did in the opening stages of the game, Dynamos started the second half on a high note, attacking from the onset.

Mambare’s snap shot from the edge of the box in the 49th minute missed the target by inches.

A minute later, action then swung and it was How Mine on the offensive but their attack yielded nothing as Limited Chikafa chose the unselfish route of setting up Nguwodzawo instead of going for goal.

Having survived a scare, Dynamos regrouped and were rewarded for their never-die spirit when they challenged a seemingly hapless cross by Chungwa in numbers and Mukanga was lucky to score in the ensuing goalmouth melee.

Minutes later, Mambare should have wrapped the game after being set through by Chungwa but shot over the bar.

How Mine’s search for an equaliser was either thwarted by Mukuruva or their players were very undecided in most cases.

The gold miners were almost caught on counter attack in the 82nd minute but Mukanga hit the upright from an acute angle with Diya a beaten man.

Kadzola had his injury time effort ruled for offside.

Luke Masomere, How Mine’s coach conceded defeat.

“We lost to a better side. We were not very much involved in terms of attack and we paid dearly for that,” said Masomere.

Teams

How Mine: Munyaradzi Diya, Morris Kadzola, Moses Gutu, Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Nelson Tachi, Devon Chafa (Kuda Musharu, 65th minute), Menard Mupera, Thembani Masuku (Charles Sibanda, 75th minute), Timothy January, Limited Chikafa, Godfrey Nguwodzawo (Benjamin Marere, 65th minute)

Dynamos: Tatenda Mukuruva, Blessing Moyo, Ocean Mushure, Sydney Limyama, Augustine Mbara, Milton Makopa, Walter Mukanga, Masimba Mambare, Oscar Machapa, Kelvin Bulaji (Farai Mupasiri, 90th minute), Dominic Chungwa (Patrick Khumbula, 87th minute).

Results

Yesterday: FC Platinum 3-2 How Mine 0-1 Dynamos, Caps United 0-2 Chapungu

Saturday: Chicken Inn 2-1 Highlanders, Harare City 1-1 Hwange, Flame Lily 2-0 Buffaloes, Whawha 1-2 ZPC Kariba

Friday: Tsholotsho FC 1-1 Dongo Sawmill