PATRICK Khumbula grabbed a brace as champions Dynamos recovered from their shock defeat to Buffaloes last week to thrash How Mine in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
REPORT BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .(2) 3 How Mine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 0
The win lifted Dynamos back to third position on the league table with 28 points after rivals Harare City fell 1-4 to Hwange. But Chicken Inn snapped second spot after beating Shabanie Mine 2-1 at Maglas to go level on 29 points with Highlanders.
Former Monomotapa forward Russel Madamombe scored the other goal for the champions.
Khumbula was excited to score a brace which took his goal tally to four in the campaign so far.
“I am happy to score a brace. It was unfortunate I couldn’t get a hat-trick. But the play was okay today (yesterday) and we are looking forward to winning our next matches. I think the first goal was the best,” Khumbula said after the match.
How Mine started brightly, but Thembani Masuku missed a headed opportunity from a cross by Thandazani Ndlovu just after three minutes.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
In the ninth minute, Dynamos midfielder Devon Chafa had a chance to put his side ahead, but his free-kick from outside the box sailed over the bar.
But the home team surged ahead nine minutes later after Khumbula pounced on a pass from the left by Ocean Mushure pushed it forward before side-footing the ball past How Mine goalkeeper Pedzisai Gumiremhete.
As Dynamos took control of the match, Tawanda Muparati missed good opportunities in the 24th and 34th minutes with his efforts going over the bar.
How Mine forward Warren Dube was unlucky on 39 minutes as his effort, following a cross from Khumbulani Banda, was cleared out of danger.
Despite How Mine coming close to getting an equaliser, Dynamos increased their lead at the stroke of the first half with Madamombe scoring a stunning goal straight from a free-kick.
In the second half, Dynamos continued to pile the pressure on the visitors and on 52 minutes, Thomas Magorimbo missed after a good set-up by Khumbula.
However, it was Mushure who could have found his name on the scoresheet, but his rasping shot was superbly saved by Gumiremhete. Khumbula then completed his brace on 61 minutes when Muparati’s defence-splitting pass found Mushure on the left and he did justice when he delivered an equally beautiful cross into the box for the burly striker to finish off.
A minute later Gumiremhete earned himself an unnecessary yellow card for pushing a ball boy as frustration appeared to be taking its toll on the visitors.
Dynamos were missing the services of defender Partson Jaure, Cliff Sekete and Washington Pakamisa through injury, but still managed to hold on to their lead.
Khumbula could have scored a hat-trick at the death after unleashing a rasping shot, but Gumiremhete was equal to the task.
Pasuwa said he was happy with the victory after their defeat to Buffaloes.
“It’s a good victory for us especially coming after a defeat to Buffaloes. As one of our targets I think we will get there. That defeat to Buffaloes is a reminder that there are no small teams anymore. I think this season there is stiff competition which is good for our football. We welcome the competition,” Pasuwa said.
How Mine coach Philani Mabhena said they were not aggressive in front of goal. “I wouldn’t blame our defence for the goals we conceded. I think we had some chances, but were not aggressive enough. We will now go back to the drawing board and plan for the upcoming matches in the second half of the season,” Mabhena said.
Teams Dynamos: G Chigova, T Magorimbo, (B Bogere 67th min), O Mushure, A Mbara, G Bello, T Muparati, M Kadzola, D Chafa, (S Alimenda 82nd min), R Madamombe, P Khumbula, C Kawinga
How Mine: P Gumiremhete, B Dube, K Banda, G Banda, H Dick, O Mpofu, T Masuku, (T Moyo 67th min),T Ndlovu, W Dube, M Mupera, N Mpala
