Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sports Reporter
Bulawayo Chiefs FC (0) 2
Dynamos FC (0) 1
DYNAMOS FC went down for the first time at Barbourfields Stadium this season, when they were beaten 2-1 by Bulawayo Chiefs FC in a Castle Lager Premiership match on Saturday.
DeMbare coach Genesis Mangombe blamed the defeat on complacency and lack of character from the players.
The home side’s toil all afternoon paid to hand the visitors a loss they never expected, given their recent run of good form and exciting football.
Chiefs’ victory capped their season’s dominance over DeMbare, having won the reverse fixture 3-2 in Harare.
Mangombe made it clear he was let down by his charges.
“It was a good game but, we failed to match our opponents. Tactically we were not wrong. It wasn’t our day. We were let down by complacency.
“In this game we needed character. Bulawayo Chiefs is always stubborn when we play against them. If we had to win the game, we needed to change our attitude,” said Mangombe.
He explained why he brought in Nyasha Chintuli and Emmanuel Paga from the bench in the second half, saying he was trying to find fresh legs to help the team get back to the game.
His counterpart, Johanisi Nhumwa described the win as a sweet one.
“It was just good to win. We trained to win and we got that. Dynamos is a very good team and a strong one as it is one of the most supported teams in the land. It was quite good for us to collect three points,” said Nhumwa.
He said they studied how good Dynamos are in the middle of the park and they had to use that research in their game plan.
“After we had seen how they played all along, they were dominating other teams in midfield, so we had to adopt a one versus one in the middle of the park. We had to block every ball. We collected three points and moved up on the log, we move to the next game,” said Nhumwa.
Chiefs came into the match a seemingly disjointed lot as players went on a strike over unpaid allowances during the past week.
Nhumwa revealed that the allowances dispute was settled which put paid to the unrest and gave the team confidence.
“They were motivated. Their winning bonuses were upped by US$200, so they were really motivated.”
Chiefs’ captain Malvin Mkolo opened the scoring in the 47th minute. Dynamos replied from Dominic Mudadi three minutes later.
Then ever handful striker, forceful Obriel Chirinda netted Chiefs’ second and eventually winner.
Chirinda spoiled DeMbare’s party as he got the better of Frank Makarati. He nicely placed the ball at the back of the net, exposing goalie Taimon Mvula.
His bustling moves and ability to tear the Dynamos’ rear guard finally paid off for Chirinda, who deservedly was the motivator for Amakhosi Amahle on the day.
It was Chirinda’s 10th goal of the season.
The three goals were scored within five minutes of resumption perhaps both teams had loss of concentration.
Mangombe will have every reason to feel let down as DeMbare could have taken control of proceedings in the first half, when they dominated play.
Had the Chazunguza boys taken advantage of the out of sorts Bulawayo Chiefs goalkeeper, Issah Ali, the score chart would have read differently in the first stanza.
After the breather, Nhumwa’s attacking tactic swung the pendulum and result Chiefs’ way.
Ali had a good day in goal as he redeemed himself in the second half to thwart DeMbare raids.
The visitors’ captain Makarati was lucky to have been handed a yellow card by referee Tichaona Tigere following his violent push on Chirinda in the 70th minute.
Mangombe did not have kind words for his skipper as he described the action as unwarranted of a leader.
“He was a bit harsh. He was frustrated. At least he controlled his emotions. Maybe he was supposed to get a red card,” said Mangombe.
Closing the weekend with the win, Chiefs have amassed 29 points, while DeMbare kept on with 36 points.
Meanwhile Hwange FC beat Cranborne Bullets 1-0 at Nyamhunga Stadium in Kariba yesterday through a goal by Marcellin Mlilo as they continue with their relegation fight.
Teams:
Bulawayo Chiefs:
A Isaiah, K Sibanda, B Nyahunzwi, M Msebe, N Gama, O Chirinda (D Dlodlo 74th minute), M Mkolo, D Phiri, M Gasela, F Moyo, F Matare (B Veremu 58th minute)
Dynamos:
T Mvula, M Donald, E Moyo, F Makarati, J Makunike, E Jalai, I Sadiki (E Paga 66th minute) E ILunga (Chikona 46th minute), K Madera (N Chintuli 79th minute), S Nyahwa (A Musiyiwa 46th minute) K Moyo, D Mudadi (E Ziocha 66th minute