The Sunday News
Langton Nyakwenda
Harare Bureau
Simba Bhora ……………………………………………..0
Dynamos ………………………………………….. ……0
IN the end this duel failed to live up to its billing.
Former Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya was facing his former paymasters for the first time since he was sacked in November, before he was appointed at Simba Bhora.
Ndiraya had predicted a tough match, Dynamos fans came in their numbers hoping to watch an entertaining match but it was not to be.
This one was a dull encounter, which was full of stoppages especially in the second-half when Simba Bhora became more physical.
Dynamos skipper Frank Makarati and Donald Mudadi left the pitch with bandaged heads early in the second-half after a clash of heads. It was a huge blow for DeMbare who had dominated the first-half.
Frank Makarati
After that incident play was intermittent as both teams’ medics were busier than the players themselves. Simba Bhora also employed some delaying tactics late in the second stanza as they seemed comfortable with a draw.
It worked well for them as they got their first point of the season. The opening three fixtures were not kind to the newly promoted side as they lost 2-1 against champions FC Platinum at the start of the season before they were beaten 1-0 by Chicken Inn.
“It was a very difficult fixture for us considering the status of our team. Yes, we have experienced players but these are players who have just been brought together. And to get the top three teams from last season was not easy for us,” Ndiraya.
The former Dynamos coach was relieved after getting his first point of the season.
Tonderai Ndiraya
Ndiraya conceded that his side went into this match low on confidence, after suffering two straight defeats.
“It was difficult to assert ourselves,” he said.
Simba Bhora did not allow Dynamos to play their passing game as they were physical and in some instances resorted to delaying tactics, to disturb the rhythm of play.
DeMbare, however, got a little livelier after the introduction of Denver Mukamba late in the second-half in a triple substitution.
As usual he cashed in some dollars from fans after the match.
Sadly, DeMbare lost two key players Makarati and Mudadi through injury and their coach Herbert Maruwa was a worried man.
“We will have to check the extent of their injuries,” said Maruwa.
“But as the coach of the team I am happy with the team’s performance.
“They (Simba Bhora) were physical and I even told my boys to calm down.”
Maruwa acknowledged that the injury-inspired substitutions disturbed his team’s rhythm.
Simba Bhora fielded six former Dynamos players, Simbarashe Chinani, Blessing Moyo, Partson Jaure, Tichaona Chipunza, Albert Manenji and Ronald Chitiyo.
Teams
Simba Bhora: S Chinani, B Moyo, W Tafa, P Jaure, V Musarurwa, T Chipunza, A Manenji (Nyanhi 70 mins) V. Kawe, R. Chitiyo (Chigulupate 70 mins), H. Chikosa, K. Mangami (Onifade 11 mins, Balakasi 82 mins)
Dynamos: T Mvula, E Jalai, F Makarati (Dzvinyai 58 mins), K Moyo, E Moyo, D Mudadi (Nyahwa 63 mins) T Shandirwa, A Musiyiwa (Ilunga 63 mins), N Chintuli (Sadiki 45 mins), E Paga, T. Matindife ( Mukamba 63 mins)
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