There was drama at the National Sports Stadium yesterday when the Independence Cup final was called-off following a power outage with 24 minutes remaining as Dynamos led FC Platinum 1-0.
BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
Ronald Chitiyo had separated the two sides 16 minutes into the match which is now likely to be replayed. The giant stadium fell victim to Zesa’s load-shedding and was left in darkness, prompting referee Pedzisayi Chafa to rule the contest unsuitable to continue.
This left organisers of the match, Zifa, stranded as they milled around the pitch seemingly pondering the next move before match commissioner Lovemore Marange called off the match under Chafa’s instruction.
But power returned exactly 31 minutes later and fans started trickling back into the stadium, only to find players of both sides heading for their respective team buses.
Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said they will make a decision on the match today.
“We will have a position on the way forward by tomorrow,” said Gwesela. “It was a very unfortunate scenario considering that it was beyond Zifa or stadium authorities. We are going to sit down and come up with a position by tomorrow.”
Dynamos were on track for an eighth Independence title and coach David Mandigora is not worried about tables turning in case of a replay.
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“We were leading and the game was going on very well but it is unfortunate the lights went off. We never expected what happened but that is football. We were trying to get another goal to kill the game. But whatever decision is going to be made about the game, we will just make sure we stay in control,” said Mandigora.
His FC Platinum counterpart Norman Mapeza placed the blame on a muddy National Sports Stadium pitch which he said affecting his team’s play.
“Only God knows the answer on whether we were going to come back or not,” he said. “The match was difficult because the pitch was muddy and I think we gave Dynamos a soft goal. I cannot say the failing to continue with the match is an advantage to us to restrategise. But you never know with football. Everything was beyond our control.”
Incessant rainfall pounded the pitch, making the flow of play slow.
FC Platinum started off as the better side and Dynamos defender Elisha Muroiwa nearly beat his goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva five minutes into the match with a poorly executed headed clearance.
Chitiyo then struck when he received an Obey Mwerahari cross before dribbling to an acute angle from which he shot past an advancing FC Platinum goalkeeper Francis Tizai.
The match was however marked by few incidences of brilliance as players struggled with the turf. Meanwhile, ZPC Kariba edged CAPS United 1-0 in the battle for third and fourth positions.
Veteran midfielder Pride Tafirenyika scored the only goal of the match in the 59th minute to earn the power utility company the much-needed victory after that 2-0 drubbing by Harare giants Dynamos in the semis. Tafirenyika scored with his first touch after being introduced for Terrence Gonzo.
The first half was a balanced affair and ZPC Kariba dominated the entire stanza.
After the breather, Gwenya Rekuchamhembe continued from where they had left, only to be rewarded in the 59th minute. However, CAPS United also had their chances in the last half but failed to make them count.
