BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
Harare City. (0) 0 Dynamos………………(1) 1
PRODIGAL son Archford Gutu emerged the hero as his curling 33rd minute free kick saw Dynamos survive a second half Harare City onslaught to bag maximum points in a highly entertaining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
Harare City finished the match with 10 men after captain Marshall Machazane was shown the red card for dangerous play deep into stoppage time.
The narrow win lifted Dynamos into the top five on the log standings for the first time since the opening day of the league race going into today’s fixtures.
Gutu opened his goal account in only his second appearance for Dynamos since he returned during the midseason transfer window.
Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, Gutu was by no means the best player for Dynamos on the day as captain Godfrey Mukambi produced a sparkling display at the back to keep the marauding Harare City forwards at bay.
Even Harare City coach Mark Mathe had nothing to say, but praise for Mukambi.
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“We used a lot of width, a lot of speed, a lot of guile in our play, but credit to them, they defended very well, especially Godfrey Mukambi, this underrated defender from Dynamos. I think he defended very well; I have to be honest although my team lost,” Mathe said.
“I must hasten to say I am very disappointed. Football has got its own injustices at times. But I pray to God that I will still be here working with the team. The wins will come.”
Harare City have now gone six matches without a win since they beat Chicken Inn early last month.
Yesterday they had a bright start and looked like they would overrun their opponents. However, it was Dynamos who had the first shot at goal with Jarrison Selemani testing Maxwell Nyamupanedengu from outside the box early on.
Machazane could have done better with a free header moments later as Dynamos resorted to counter-attacks. Fullback Tinotenda Muringai shot straight at the goalkeeper after Dynamos had won a free kick in a dangerous position.
Dynamos got a free kick at the edge of the box soon after the half-hour mark when it looked like Simba Nhivi had been hacked down in the box.
Gutu then cheekily lifted the ball over the wall and into the near post, sending the Dynamos faithful into a frenzy. The second half was all Harare City as they went in search of an equaliser.
Simba Chinani preserved Dynamos’ lead with a brilliant stop from young Shingirai Masukuta, Harare City’s best player on view.
Machazane was red-carded for an elbow at the back of Mukambi as the two players went for a cross in the Dynamos box in stoppage time.
“I am very satisfied with the result. Last week I said it was a great start after the addition of the new players we have got now. I am really happy with how they are applying themselves. I think they have stabilised the team,” Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya said.
“We had a good performance last week. That performance gave us hope that there is something, which is happening and today was testimony of that.”
Teams:
Harare City: M Nyamupanedengu, M Machazane, C Mujuru, M Nyenye-Diro, T Chimwemwe, S Masukuta, W Manondo (M Vengesai 57’), T Tavengwa, K Musharu, I Wadi, M Mukunga (W Mukanga 71’).
Dynamos: S Chinani, E Jalai, T Muringai, G Murwira, M Mawadza, A Maliselo, G Mukambi, A Gutu (S Mupamaonde 85’), J Selemani (S Gona 90’), N Katawa (T Chisi 68’), S Nhivi.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League results and fixtures
Yesterday: Chapungu 1-1 Manica Diamonds, Black Rhinos 1-0 FC Platinum, Harare City 0-1 Dynamos
Today: Mushowani Stars v ZPC Kariba (Trojan), CAPS United v Ngezi Platinum Stars (National Sports Stadium), Hwange v TelOne (Colliery)
Postponed matches: Chicken Inn v Herentals (Luveve Stadium), Bulawayo Chiefs v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Triangle United v Yadah (Gibbo).
