Harare derby ends in draw

Sport
BY HENRY MHARA CAPS UNITED . . . . (1) 1 DYNAMOS . . . . . . . (1) 1 CAPS United and Dynamos failed to live up to their heavyweight billing in a drab Chibuku Super Cup Group A encounter played under biting weather conditions at the National Sports Stadium yesterday. It was […]

BY HENRY MHARA

CAPS UNITED . . . . (1) 1

DYNAMOS . . . . . . . (1) 1

CAPS United and Dynamos failed to live up to their heavyweight billing in a drab Chibuku Super Cup Group A encounter played under biting weather conditions at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

It was a mostly dull affair that certainly didn’t fit the context of a blockbuster match between the old foes.

The past few days had all been about this match up of two of the biggest teams in the country.

The two teams’ wins in their midweek matches meant there was plenty of interest going into the latest instalment of this Big Harare Derby.

But the match failed to live up to top table billing with action concentrated in the middle of the park and chances barely created.

In the end, two scrappy goals settled this contest.

Dynamos right-back Emmanuel Jalai turned an Ismael Wadi cross into his own net in the 42nd minute, but Barnabas Mushunje’s deflected free-kick four minutes later restored parity.

The draw saw Dynamos retaining the top position in Group A with eight points, while Caps United moved to second with six points.

Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya admitted that his side could have done better.

“We were in control of the game, but we then lacked the final pass and the final ball which could give us goals to decide the match. In the first half, we dominated for quite a long period but again we had nothing to show for it.

“We didn’t do enough to really threaten the Caps United goal,” said Ndiraya, who blamed a lapse in concentration by his defenders for United’s goal.

“But I was happy with the response. We kept our cool and came back quickly. That really settled some nerves for us.”

Surprisingly, Caps United coach Darlington Dodo was happy with the performance of the teams.

“It was a good game played with a good tempo. We adapted well and we had good moments defensively because we didn’t concede early today. We were good in certain moments going forward especially on counter breaks,” he said.

“That is when we had some chances which we could have converted. But I’m happy with the movement, with the structure that we had planned for this game without the ball. The character and the spirit, I’m happy with what these boys did.

“It was a big battle and when you get a point at least, you take it home and plan for the next game.”

Caps United face ZPC Kariba next, while Dynamos will play Harare City to conclude their first round of matches in this knockout competition.

Ndiraya’s men enjoyed much of the ball, but chances were very few and far between for both sides in the first half.

But it was Caps United, who put their noses in front.

Wadi made one of his trademark penetrating runs into the box and hit a hard and low shot across the goal, which Jalai could only turn into his own net.

Dynamos’ response was quick.

After United had needlessly given away a free-kick, Mushunje’s attempted curler took a huge deflection on the wall to wrong foot goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga into the net.

The only chance to talk about in the second half went Caps United’s way on 78 minutes when substitute Ian Nyoni outpaced his marker before picking Wadi on the blind side, but the inform striker somehow headed over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Teams

Caps United: T Mateyaunga, M Dironyenye, B Mpofu, C Mavhurume, T Tafa (I Nyoni, 60’), E Karembo, B Sarupinda (A Tavarwisa, 86’), J Thulani, I Wadi (Tumba, 86’), R Chitiyo (R Hachiro, 86’), T Balakasi

Dynamos: T Mvula, P Jaure (S Appiah, 47’), F Makarati, G Murwira, E Jalai, T Mavhunga, S Nyahwa, B Mushunje (K Nadolo, 88’), J Mutudza, B Antonio, N Sianchali (D Temwanjira, 88’)

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