Harare City . . . . . . . (0)3 Dynamos . . . . . . . . .(1)5 TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
AFTER A 12-minute delay to the start of the match due to a clash of colours, Dynamos romped to their biggest win of the campaign after defeating a battling Harare City in an eight-goal Castle Lager Premier Soccer League thriller Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
Dynamos were in the traditional blue shorts, the same that Harare City — the home team — were wearing, forcing the defending champions to change into their warm-up black and white shorts, at least for the first half. In the second half, Dynamos came out of the dressing rooms in their traditional away white shorts.
After Ocean Mushure had scored Dynamos’ opener in the first half, Cliff Sekete, Rodreck Mutuma and a brace by substitute Washington Pakamisa in the second half condemned Harare City to their third successive defeat in the league.
Dynamos moved to 53 points, three ahead of second-placed ZPC Kariba who bounced back from last Saturday’s loss to FC Platinum with a 3-1 win over Buffaloes at Gwanzura.
Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa was naturally pleased with the victory.
“It was a splendid performance from the team,” he said. “We changed so many players and I am happy with this big victory. We have not been scoring goals and today we have scored five, which is commendable. But I thought the red card to David Kutyauripo made it easier for us. We now want to prepare for the next match against Bantu.”
His opposite number Masimba Dinyero was downcast.
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“We conceded silly goals,” he said. “We are not happy with the performance and now the confidence is low. Of course, the turning point was when Kutyauripo was sent off. I lost someone who is experienced and was pushing youngsters. But there is still room to survive.”
The Harare giants dominated in the first half with Mutuma and Sekete missing opportunities, but left-back Mushure thrust them ahead beating William Manondo on the edge of the area, before slamming home on 38 minutes.
However, that lead proved temporary as James Jam smashed home a beautiful leveller three minutes into the second half, pouncing on a loose ball laid into space by Osborne Mukuradare following a good cross by Talent Chawapiwa on the left.
That goal by Harare City appeared to have given Dynamos a new resolve as Sekete got to the end of a cross by Ronald Chitiyo to head down another goal with City defenders guilty of ball watching.
But the home team refused to be cowed into submission with big striker Francesco Zekumbawira hitting the nets with an exquisite curler on 59 minutes after spotting goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi off his line. The goal saw Rufaro rising to salute a great piece of technique.
However, Harare City finished the match with 10 men after veteran defender David Kutyauripo, a former Dynamos player, was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Kutyauripo illegally brought down Chitiyo just outside the penalty area as he charged into the danger zone after weaving his way through a forest of defenders. Referee Munyaradzi Majoni did not hesitate to send him off. Mushure hit a stunning free-kick which Pakamisa connected home on 66 minutes.
In the 70th minute, Mutuma made it four, planting a firm header into the nets off a free kick by Mushure.
However, Mushure, who was the outstanding player for Dynamos on the afternoon, appended Osborne Mukuradare in the penalty area on 78 minutes and Mukuradare accepted responsibility to send Mukandi the wrong way for his side’s third goal. Three minutes from the end, Pakamisa completed his brace.
