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ZIMBABWE’S representatives in the African Champions League, Dynamos have a mathematical chance of progressing to the semi-finals of the continental tournament, but would have to perform a Houdini act and collect six points in their last two matches.
DeMbare, who went down 3-0 to Entente Setif at Stade 8 Mai Stadium in Setif, Algeria on Friday night have themselves to blame for failing to collect maximum points and this should make their qualification to the semis a mountain to climb.
The Dynamos faithfuls would probably say that it’s not over until the fat lady sings, but DeMbare would have to win their last remaining matches one against TP Mazembe on September 12 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the other against Esperance at home.
They will collide with Esperance at Rufaro on September 18. The Glamour Boys have a mammoth task of collecting maximum points to take their points tally to nine points in six outings.
Group A is currently led by TP Mazembe, who are sitting on seven points from three outings and were set to clash with second-placed Esperance in Tunisia last night. Esperance are riding on six points from three matches.
In the event that they brew a shocker and beat TP Mazembe and Esperance, DeMbare will be sailing in a boat of ifs. Elvis Chiweshe and his charges will pray that Setif beat Esperance on September 11 and that TP Mazembe prevail over Setif on September 18.
It is likely to be a tale of so-near-yet-so far in the event that DeMbare prevail over their last opponents but the truth be told this has been their worst campaign since qualifying to the money-spinning phase in 1998 and 2008.
Everything seems to be against DeMbare as they have a minus 5-goal difference. The team defence leaks like a sieve as they have conceded six goals, the highest in Group A. The team’s strikeforce is also blunt as they have managed to score only once in four matches.
According to the Dynamos’ official website controversy marred their match against Setif, which saw defender Brighton Tuwaya being sent off.
Dynamos displayed some assured touches in the opening minutes and put pressure on their opponents from the front.
However, Entente Setif were the quicker of the two sides to settle into a rhythm and were soon enjoying the bulk of the possession led by their playmaker Lazhar Aissa.
Setif launched numerous raids, almost always orchestrated by Aissa in midfield but the Dynamos defence was well-organised and thwarted most of the forays.
The relentless pressure almost bore fruit for the Algerians when Aissa put in a deft cross only for Hosine Metref to miss with an overhead kick. The home side had the upper hand and in the 32nd minute Bouzza Feham’s fine free kick flew into goalie Washington Arubi’s top right hand corner.
On 35 minutes Dynamos almost pulled level when Ashley Rambanapasi’s cross was handled just outside the box. The resultant thunderbolt free-kick from Milton Makopa had to be tipped over by Faouzi Chaouchi in Setif’s goal.
Dynamos came back a different side in the second half, exploding into life through Benjamin Marere.
In the 60th minute Marere beat his markers putting Dylan Chivandire through who put the ball in the back of the net. The goal was inexplicably disallowed.
The puzzling decision was the turning point as tempers flared resulting in the booking of defender George Magariro and goalkeeper Arubi.
The dust had barely settled and on 69 minutes a clear foul committed by Tuwaya saw him seeing red and justifiably getting his marching orders.
Entente Setif were now free to use their extra man to open up the now exposed Dynamos defence. On 74 minutes Aissa was in the thick of things again, providing the assist for Setif’s second goal. Hocine Metrif didn’t make a mistake on 76 minutes when again he was put through by Aissa, slotting home Setif’s third.
Squad
W. Arubi, M. Diya, G. Magariro, P. Sithole, D. Kutyauripo, B. Tuwaya, K. Banda, G. Zhokinyu, T. Kamusoko, M. Makopa, A. Mbara, W. Sithole, B. Marere, A. Rambanapasi, F. Vimisayi, I. Pitamuja, D. Chivandire, E. Mashiri.
BY FANUEL VIRIRI
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