Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1 Shabanie Mine . . . . . . . . . 0
SPORTS REPORTERS
DIMINUTIVE mid-fielder Ronald Chitiyo stepped up to rescue the day for Dynamos as his sensational goal late in the match earned his team a vital win against a spirited Shabanie Mine in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro Stadium.
Just when it looked as though the match would end in a draw, Chitiyo collected a pass on the left side beat a defender before lashing in the priceless goal with just five minutes remaining.
With the win, Dynamos maintained their two-point gap at the top on 46 points, followed closely by ZPC Kariba on 44 while Caps United are third on 42 points with just six games remaining on the season.
Highlanders are now on fourth position on the log with 39 points, and could find themselves in a far worse position by the end of day today if fifth-placed Hwange beat Bantu Rovers this afternoon.
Shabanie Mine remained in the relegation zone, third from the bottom with 26 points.
Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa played down yesterday’s win.
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“Ronald (Chitiyo) is one boy in the team who can make something out of nothing.
“They were compact and defending with 10 men and we had no space to pass the ball between the lines hence we had to use the wide areas.
“But I am happy the goal eventually came and for the boys that they managed to collect the three points. There are many games still to play, so we need to see each game as it comes and try to keep the momentum in order for us to remain on top,” Pasuwa said.
Shabanie coach Jairos Tapera said: “It was a well-balanced game. They got only one chance and they utilised it, and that was the difference.
“I thought the referee should have stopped the match when one of our players was down in the build-up to the goal.
“I don’t know where fair play is these days, but that’s the nature of football. Our survival will now depend on how other teams play, but we will soldier on.”
Shabanie’s best chance came on 25th minute when Wellington Kamudyariwa rattled the bar after goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi had made a mess of a cross, landing badly on his side. He finished the game with a visible limp.
After the halftime break Dynamos remained on top and continually put pressure on the visitors, but a goal couldn’t come until Chitiyo popped up to rescue the situation.
Teams Dynamos: A Mukandi, O Machapa, T Magorimbo, T Ndlovu, A Mbara, D Chafa, F Okocha (T Muparati, 51min), R Chitiyo, T Rusike (C Sekete, 67’), R Mutuma (A Gondo, 70’), W Pakamisa
Shabanie Mine: V Twaliki, G Murwira, T Majo, R Mwale, Z Makonese, D Sibanda, W Kamudyariwa, A Tavarwisa (B Pamhirwa, 65’), R Nenzou (G Saunyama, 76’), C Messi (L Ngara, 78’), X Ncube.
