The Sunday News
Highlanders ……………………………………………………………………….. 0
Dynamos ……………………………………………………………………….. (0) 1
A wasteful Highlanders slumped to their second consecutive defeat as a goal from Roderick Mutuma early into the second half secured the three points for Dynamos in an entertaining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Barbourfields in Bulawayo yesterday.
Highlanders completely dominated Dynamos for most parts of the match only to allow Mutuma to capitalise on a defensive blunder by the Bosso backline, scrambling in the ball into the back of the nets unchallenged in the box soon after the resumption of the second half.
The win saw Dynamos shoot to the top of the log with 35 points, the same number as second placed ZPC Kariba who won 3-0 over Shabanie Mine while Highlanders dropped to third on the log with 32 points and they could slide further down the log standings depending on the outcome of today’s matches. Hwange and Caps United have a chance to leapfrog Highlanders if they win their respective fixtures this afternoon.
Ugly scenes were witnessed during the match with fans situated at the famous Soweto Stand, incensed by the antics of Dynamos players Mutuma and Murape Murape throwing missiles onto the pitch. The two players were feigning injuries in a clear sign of time wasting and that drew the ire of the Bosso supporters.
Police fired teargas after the match to control the fans in and outside the stadium.
Yesterday’s defeat means that Highlanders have not won a match in the second half of the season with two defeats, the same number of draws with a mere two points collected from a possible 12.
Highlanders were all over Dynamos from the start of the match the first goal attempt coming with just 30 seconds played, a sparkling move from the back initiated by Kangwa to Charles Sibanda only for Njabulo Ncube to shoot weakly at goal, his shot not enough to trouble Dynamos goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi.
Bosso came hunting with eight minutes played, Charles Sibanda’s cross from the left found no takers in the box allowing the Dynamos defence to avert the danger.
Joel Ngodzo, from a free kick outside the box came up with powerful shot that was saved by Mukandi after 12 minutes. Two minutes later, Pasca Manhanga headed weakly from a Sibanda cross his header easily dealt with by Mukandi.
Erick Mudzingwa’s blistering shot in the 18th minute went wide off the posts. Another brilliant fine exchange of passes between Ngodzo and Mudzingwa saw Njabulo Ncube sent through only for the heavily built forward to send his header wide. A gorgeous build-up saw Ngodzo set up Hillary Madzivanyika on the edge of the box whose shot went wide. Charles Sibanda, yet to add to the 10 goals he scored during the first half of the season unbelievably shot over the bar after an exchange of passes with Ncube with 28 minutes played. It was easier to score than to miss. Dynamos had their first shot at the Highlanders goal in 31st minute, Tafadzwa Rusike’s first time shot straight into the hands of Ariel Sibanda.
Dumisani Ndlovu, booked for bringing down Rusike, saw his shot from the resultant free kick punched away by Ariel Sibanda.
With seven minutes before the break, Dynamos made a substitution, veteran Murape Murape brought in for Fabrice Mbimba.
Mutuma had a chance to put the defending champions ahead with two minutes before the break, his powerful shot causing no problems for Ariel Sibanda who made a fine save.
ABSA Premiership flop Mutuma delivered the goal for Dynamos three minutes after the break, with an easy tap into the nets after the Highlanders defence had failed to deal with a harmless cross from the box which allowed the gangly forward to score.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu made his first change when Mthulisi Maphosa was brought in for Madzivanyika.
The goal brought Dynamos back into life as the Glamour Boys started dictating the pace of the match especially in midfield where Highlanders were more dominant in the first half. Simba Sithole could have scored the second goal for Dynamos, his shot bringing out a superb clean save from Ariel Sibanda.
Referee Nkosana Nduna was forced to stop the match for two minutes when missiles started raining on to the pitch.
With four minutes to go, Sithole was allowed lots of space in the box to shoot with Ariel Sibanda diving well to his right to make the save. Substitute Tichaona Mabvura was sent through on the left only to guide his effort over the bar.
Kaindu felt the better team lost as they were all over Dynamos for most parts of the match.
“I think it’s difficult, the results are not fair, the better side lost, we made one mistake and the opponents capitalised on that. We showed lots of improvement, we should have capitalised in the first half,’’ said Kaindu after the match.
Dynamos head coach Kallisto Pasuwa, as is the norm quickly disappeared into the team’s changing room after being interviewed on television and never bothered to speak to radio and print journalists.
Teams
Highlanders
Ariel Sibanda, Charles Sibanda, Bruce Kangwa, Innocent Mapuranga, Hillary Madzivanyika (Maphosa 54 mins), Felix Chindungwe, Dumisani Ndlovu, Eric Mudzingwa, Joel Ngodzo, Njabulo Ncube (Machazani 83 mins), Pasca Manhanga (Ndiweni 66 mins)
Dynamos
Artwell Mukandi, Blessing Moyo, Thomas Magorimbo, Augustine Mbara, Themba Ndlovu, Steven Alimenda, Fabrice Mbimba (Murape 38 mins), Tafadzwa Rusike (Mabvura 75 mins), Ronald Chitiyo, Roderick Mutuma (Muroiwa 92 mins), Simba Sithole
Match Officials
Referee: Nkosana Nduna
First assistant referee: Tiwone Kacheche
Second assistant referee: Salani Ncube
Fourth official: Philani Ncube
Match commissioner: Sabelo Maphosa
Estimated crowd: 19 000
