DANCING IN THE RAIN . . . Dynamos players celebrate the team’s first goal, scored by striker Washington Pakamisa, in the pouring ...
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| DANCING IN THE RAIN . . . Dynamos players celebrate the team’s first goal, scored by striker Washington Pakamisa, in the pouring rain in their Champions League tie against Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the National Sports Stadium yesterday. — (Picture by Justin Mutenda) |
Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
Mochudi Centre Chiefs . . . . . . . . . 0
DYNAMOS took time to find their rhythm, which was probably something expected in their first competitive game of the season, but once they found their range in the second half, they showed the gulf in class that exists between Zimbabwe and Botswana football in this Champions League tie on a rainy afternoon at the National Sports Stadium.
On a day in which the rains had a big say, including a lengthy first half stoppage after water washed away the field markings, the poor and heavy pitch at the giant stadium didn’t help matters either and those, who had come hoping for an exhibition of good football, must have left the ground a disappointed lot.
But, even without slipping into second gear, a team of DeMbare’s pedigree should still be good enough for a side from Botswana, especially in their backyard, because there is a huge difference in quality between football played in the two countries.
The Glamour Boys could have, with better precision in front of goal, scored double the number of goals they harvested yesterday.
But, with this being his team’s first competitive game of the year, coach Callisto Pasuwa, who fielded his star acquisitions, Masimba Mambare and Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo, will be happy that they got three goals and, crucially, didn’t concede and are on good ground going into the second leg in Gaborone this coming weekend.
DeMbare needed a second half inspiration to get their Champions League campaign off to a good start as they sunk Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the first leg of their preliminary round tie at the giant stadium. Striker Washington Pakamisa gave the Harare giants the start they needed with a brace following a goalless first half and then provided an assist for newboy Mambare who marked his debut with a 79th minute goal.
Midfielder Chitiyo also played his first game for Dynamos and showed fine touches until he was substituted midway through the second half.
For the visitors, who had aimed to get at least a draw, the defeat was hard to swallow as they felt hard done by the referee’s decision to award Dynamos a penalty, which was a soft one as Cliff Sekete appeared to slip inside the area, which resulted in the second goal.
Chiefs officials said the goal changed the complexion of the game and tilted the odds in favour of Dynamos on a rain-drenched afternoon.
Rains intervened soon after the referee Anibal Antonio had started play at the giant stadium and appeared to slow down the pace of the match.
DeMbare tested their opponents first when Pakamisa found Sekete unmarked on the edge of the box, but the midfielder’s calculated shot was deflected off a Chiefs’ defender and crashed against the upright, just four minutes into the game.
The referee could not restart play when Ntwhane was back on his feet as he signalled that the game could not continue with no visible pitch marks.
There was drama as the Mozambican official was forced to stop play for about 25 minutes after the white pitch markings were washed away, forcing the stadium authorities run around as the supporters waited patiently for the restart.
The DeMbare officials, including skipper Murape Murape, left their seats on the bench to rescue the situation as they offered manpower to fetch more whitewash and do the markings.
The match finally got underway again following a lengthy stoppage and Chiefs appeared to have regrouped as they repelled the DeMbare attacks.
Chiefs had done well to hold Dynamos in the opening 45 minutes and it looked their defensive plan was on the right track until Pakamisa broke the deadlock four minutes after the breather.
The burly forward, who was equally guilty of missing a couple of good chances, turned inside the box and placed his shot beyond the reach of the diving goalkeeper Ntwhane.
DeMbare could have scored more but their finishing was not up to scratch.
Pakamisa, who could at least have grabbed a hattrick, twice rushed his shots when he could have done better from inside the box after receiving a pass from Tawanda Muparati in the 65th minute and again coming to the end of a cross by Mambare, all inside a space of two minutes.
DeMbare, however, appeared to have benefitted from wrong judgment when the Mozambican official pointed to the spot when Sekete looked to have slipped inside the box with very little contact against Chiefs player Elvis Meleka.
The Chiefs players protested the decision but Pakamisa coolly slotted from the spot to double DeMbare’s lead.
Pakamisa then turned provider when he supplied the cross that Mambare directed into the nets with the Chiefs’ defenders off guard.
Dynamos captain Murape, who was introduced as a late substitute, could have put his name on the scoresheet but he made the wrong decision to pass to Patrick Khumbula when he was better positioned to shoot with the goalkeeper at his mercy in time added on.
Khumbula was no better as he blasted the ball over the bar from close range.
Teams
Dynamos
G. Chigova, O. Machapa, A. Mbara, P. Jaure, S. Linyama, S. Alimenda, T. Muparati, C. Sekete, R. Chitiyo (R. Madamombe, 63rd minute), M. Mambare (P. Khumbula, 90th minute), W. Pakamisa (M. Murape (90th minute)
Mochudi Centre Chiefs
R. Ntwhane, K. Maphane, A. Chaka, T. Khunwane, S. Molebatsi, O. Pilane, L. Tshireletso, P. Lenyeletse (L. Galenamotlhale, 64th minute), E. Meleka, B. Fraizer, P. Moloi (A. Mmualefe, 90th minute)
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