AN OWN goal by defender Brighton Dube at the end of the match cost How Mine a point as they lost to champions Dynamos in an evenly-balanced, but electrifying Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
How Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Dube buried the ball in his own net two minutes before the final whistle as the match seemed headed for a draw, to give DeMbare a good start to defending the league title they won for the last three seasons.
How Mine became a bit relaxed after right-back Morris Kadzola was tripped by Dynamos defender Augustine Mbara inside the penalty box as he attempted to shoot at goal.
On the counter-attack from a goal-kick, Washington Pakamisa made strides into the How Mine half and made a cross which beat goalkeeper Donovan Bernard and a seemingly panic-stricken Dube blasted the ball into his own net sending the Dynamos supporters into wild celebration.
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It was sweet victory and maximum points for Dynamos, who last year lost to How Mine at Luveve Stadium and at the Mbada Diamonds Cup quarter-final stage. Head coach Kalisto Pasuwa was an elated man, saying he had expected a tough match against the gold miners.
“After we lost in the Caf Champions League and How Mine in the Confederation Cup, we knew it was going to be tough, but it was an entertaining match. We were at par on fitness levels and it was a game of chances. It’s going to be tough this season for us as we have won the league for three seasons and every team would want to beat us,” Pasuwa said.
How Mine assistant coach Sheunesu Chaka said his boys created several chances, but failed to score and relaxed towards the end of the game.
“We lost! We played very well, created a number of chances, but we failed to convert and you get punished for that. That is football. We might say that should have been a penalty for us, but the referee had made his decision.
“The boys relaxed and we were hit on the counter-attack. There are still plenty of games to be played and we will soldier on,” Chaka said.
The game started off in a fast pace, but there were no shots at goal from both sides in the first 10 minutes with Dynamos getting the upper hand.
How Mine, however, had the first chance in the 15th minute when Kadzola’s cross on the right found an unmarked Kudakwashe Musharu, but he missed the target.
Three minutes later it was another chance for How Mine with Dube, who had a good game before the own goal, setting up James Chitereki who skied his effort.
Dynamos’ Patrick Khumbula then cut across from the left in the 26th minute beating How Mine defenders and let off a screamer which was saved by a confident 18-year old Bernard, starting for How Mine ahead of Ephraim Mazarura, who was said not to be feeling well.
Another chance for How Mine came in the 28th minute as a lapse in concentration by Dynamos central defenders Themba Ndlovu and Sidney Linyama found Thembani “Smaller” Masuku, who failed to beat DeMbare goalkeeper George Chigova.
Musharu had a clumsy finish after exchanging passes with Godfrey Nguwodzawo in the 32nd minute before Simba Sithole headed wide from a Oscar Machapa cross at the other end.
Dynamos played better on the wings with Machapa opening wide and in the 64th minute he had his beautifully taken cross cleared inside How Mine’s goal area by Menard Mupera.
Substitute Benjamin Marere spotted an unmarked Musharu in the 77th minute, but the How Mine danger man’s effort from inside the box was blocked by an advancing Chigova.
Dynamos were more organised in midfield where Stephen Alimenda and Walter Mukanga were quick on recovery as How Mine were always caught napping when Dynamos were on the attack from Ronald Chitiyo, Machapa, Khumbula and Sithole.
How Mine goalkeeper Bernard was struck by an object by thrown Dynamos supporters on the Mpilo-end and sustained a cut below his right eye after referee Philani Ncube had blown to end the first half.
