Eddie Chikanhi

Zimpapers Sports Hub

Dynamos …..  (0) 2

Highlanders …. (1) 2

THE intensity was unmistakable, and in the end the Battle of Zimbabwe stayed to its name!

But the small margins and errors in defence had the final say in this drawn match between traditional giants Dynamos and Highlanders at Rufaro yesterday.

Hosts Dynamos twice came from behind courtesy of second half goals from Tellmore Pio and Collin Mujuru to claim their share of the spoils after Bosso had threatened to walk away with maximum points.

The Bulawayo giants had two great finishes from Never Rauzhi and Mongameli Tshuma, who had a brilliant game on the wings.

The terraces were already buzzing with anticipation by the time referee Thabani Ruzario blew to start the match.

DeMbare wowed the home fans with a flowing game early on but then Bosso managed to soak the pressure.

The visitors looked comfortable on the ball with skipper Rainsome Pavari dictating the pace in the midfield while goalscorer Mongameli Tshuma enjoyed the forays in the DeMbare half.

Former Dynamos defender Nomore Chinyerere tried from a distance but the effort crashed against the upright with goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni beaten after 20 minutes.

Rauzhi gave Bosso the lead on the 38th minute. The visitors made the most of sloppy marking from DeMbare as the Bosso forward made a huge stride into the box before firing to the bottom corner.

With a bit of precision, Highlanders could have doubled their lead but Andrew Mbeba, whose contract talks only concluded last Friday after a standoff, skied his effort after exchanging passes with Tshuma.

Bosso were reminded early in the second half that in this game, small margins matter.

DeMbare hit back soon after the restart courtesy of a long range strike by second half substitute Tellmore Pio. The diminutive midfielder had just gotten onto the park when he spotted goalkeeper Reward Muza poorly positioned. He unleashed a speculative shot that troubled goalkeeper Muza, who fumbled the ball into his own nets at the near post.

The momentum shifted. Another DeMbare second half substitute Leeroy Mavunga had the home fans at the edge when he beat his marker and created pockets of space inside the box but somehow dragged his shot wide in the 70th minute.

Tshuma restored Bosso’s lead after another defensive blunder in the 77th minute. The lanky forward benefitted from a defensive mix up and rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home a cool finish.

The goal ignited wild celebrations among the Bosso fans at the City End.

But the joy did not last long. DeMbare were back on level terms barely five minutes later.

Bosso defenders were caught unawares inside their box from a deadball situation. DeMbare’s equaliser came from an unlikely source Collin Mujuru after the defender raced into space and dispatched a low volley in a crowded area.

Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe was satisfied with the point after seeing his team twice coming from behind.

“I think it was a game of maybe two halves, but you see coming from behind it means the boys have got the character.

“It wasn’t an easy game altogether, it was a very difficult one, but we managed to come back and equalise and get a second goal again.

“I was not happy with the way we were conceding, maybe our last line of defence, we need to improve on that.

“But our first half as well, we were also second on the ball. We lost the midfield battle, then we adjusted in the second half. We started playing and dominating the game in the second half, then we created several chances,” said Mangombe.

Dynamos now have four points from two games. They started the season with a 2-1 away win at TelOne last week.

Bosso on the other hand are still searching for the breakthrough win as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bulawayo Chiefs in the season opener.

Their coach Benjani Mwaruwari felt the draw against Dynamos was fair considering intensity in yesterday’s game.

“Unlike the game we played in the charity, this was completely different. They were aggressive, they were quick in their breaks. We did exactly that but there are some key areas we need to work on.

“I’m glad that my boys fought all the way. We had more positives than some negatives. But I believe it was a very good game,” said Mwaruwari.

He was also a bit concerned by the mistake by goalkeeper Reward Muza, although he did not crucify the goalkeeper for the loss. He also feels Bosso are a still work in progress

“As I always say, that I came late, I need to do some combinations. We need to take it from where we are and get better every day. So we had a lot of positives, which is okay.

“The mistake that we did, especially our keeper, I always tell them, the more you make mistakes, the more you give him more challenges to deal with those mistakes.

“He knows, that’s why I called him there and said, come on boy, that’s the name of the game. That’s the interesting part, that you have the mistakes, you correct it, next time you know what to do. Just that motivating factor,” said Mwaruwari.

Teams:

Dynamos: Tatenda Makoni, Shadreck Nyahwa, Jairos Kasondo (Njini, 46th min), Clive Mandivei, Perfect Chikwende (Leroy Mavunga, 46th minute), Christopher Nettey, Collin Mujuru, Frank Agyemang (Elton Njini, 46th min), Anotidaishe Gwatidzo, Trevor Mavunga (Witness Shave 46th min), Stanley Billiat (Moses Demera, 80th min)

Highlanders: Reward Muza,Nomore Chinyerere, Mongameli Tshuma, Shepherd Mhlanga, Prince Ndlovu, Andrew Mbeba, Rainsome Pavari, Tawanda Shenje, Luckmore Mutumbi (Lawrencce Mhlanga, 17th min, Benjamin Adeogun, Never Rauzhi (Akim Nkomo 63rd min), Prince Ndlovu (Kudakwashe Mahachi, 63rd min)