Ray Bande in MUTARE
Bikita Minerals………………………………………..0
Dynamos……………………………………………..(0) 1
DYNAMOS won their first match of this campaign and probably saved the job of their coach Genesis Mangombe, but their performance did not provide any hope that they are capable of mounting a challenge to win their first league title in a decade.
Only captain Emanuel Jalai, who was outstanding yesterday, played at a level that is expected from a DeMbare player.
Jalai’s flashes of brilliance, punctuated by scintillating runs down the flank and accurate passes, were a joy to watch, especially in the first half.
Neutrals will look back to yesterday’s entire 90 minutes and find it difficult to remember even a single moment of magic, let alone a simple chain of more than four accurate passes from this Dynamos team.
That they needed a penalty, thanks to Bikita Minerals’ defender Carlton Munzbwa’s clumsy challenge on second half substitute Elton Chikona in the box, puts into context the visible drop in DeMbare’s standards of play.
But Mangombe will look at this as a positive result because they won the game.
“I think it is all about the difference in the way we see things. We are playing a good game as a team and we are starting play from the back, something that is modern.
“Perhaps our critics want us to have those long balls being kicked up-field but that is not what we subscribe to. We believe we are on the right path.”
Indeed, the victory was a huge relief for Mangombe, whose players surrounded the former Yadah gaffer in the wild celebrations after the final whistle.
“We badly needed these points. It was our first victory of the season and we really wanted to win this match. We wanted to break this jinx.
“That was our worry, we missed a number of chances, especially in the first half.”
There was no giant-killing for Bikita, who shocked CAPS in their last game, and their coach Saul Chaminuka said:
“I think we failed to click from the word go. We could have also won this match but we failed. That is the game of football for you. Look at the goal that they scored, it was a result of our errors and they capitalised.
“We look forward with hope of taking it from here and fight for better results in our next match.”
Munzabwa hacked Chikona and referee Tichaona Tigere pointed to the spot.
Up stepped Kevin Moyo, who made no mistake to give DeMbare the lead and only goal of the match in the 57th minute.
Dynamos goalkeeper Martin Mapisa summoned his reflexes to punch a screamer from second half substitute Praise Tonha.
Mapisa is yet to concede a goal in his two games at DeMbare.