Dynamos…………….. (1)……2 Chiredzi FC…………………….0 HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
A BRACE from the returning Rodreck Mutuma helped Dynamos to a comfortable win over Chiredzi FC at Rufaro Stadium yesterday as the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League defending champions edged closer to the title after opening a three-point gap.
The lanky striker who had been frozen out of the team following a training ground tiff with team captain Murape Murape a fortnight ago before they were both forgiven last week, struck twice in the opening 10 minutes of each half with composed finishes.
For the first goal, he intercepted a Sydney Linyama shot inside the box before placing the ball home beyond the diving Chiredzi FC goalkeeper Stephen Chimusoro.
Mutuma completed his brace on 55th minute when he got to an end of a Ronald Chitiyo through pass before powering the ball through the legs of the advancing Chimusoro.
There were strong protests from the Chiredzi FC players for both goals as they felt Mutuma was in an offside position on both occasions, and defender Gift Kwaramba was red-carded soon after the second goal for leading the remonstrations.
The win could prove a massive result for Dynamos towards their fourth consecutive title especially after second-placed Highlanders were held to a goalless draw by Moses Chunga’s Buffaloes in Bulawayo yesterday while third-placed ZPC Kariba will only be in action tomorrow. The Harare giants are now on 42 points, three clear of Bosso with just eight matches left before the season ends.
Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa, who has won the two previous titles on goal difference, was satisfied with the result, but blasted his strikers for what he termed toyi-toying with the ball especially when the opposition had been reduced to 10 men.
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His opposite Gishon Ntini believed Dynamos got a helping hand from the match officials as he felt the two goals were all scored from offside positions.
Pasuwa made a host of changes to the team that beat How Mine at Mandava in the One Wallet Cup semi-final on Sunday, with Mutuma partnering Simba Sithole upfront in place of Anesu Gondo and Washington Pakamisa.
Ocean Mushure was named ahead of the suspended Thomas Magorimbo at left-back. Devon Chafa picked a groin injury during warm-up and was replaced by Linyama who himself could not finish the match after a head collision in the second half.
Dynamos came off the blocks flying and had two good chances inside the opening minute which were both wasted by Sithole and Mutuma before the later eventually gave the champions a breakthrough when he intercepted a goalbound shot from Linyama to place it home.
After taking the lead, Dynamos slowed down the tempo, allowing the opposition to have possession which they, however, failed to exploit.
And just like in the first half, 10 minutes had passed when Dynamos scored again.
Chitiyo beat his marker before releasing Mutuma with an exquisite reverse pass and the striker powered home through the goalkeeper’s legs to ignite protests from Chiredzi players.
