Yadah FC....... (0)1
Dynamos FC.. (0)1
Harare giants Dynamos will have to fight for survival on the final day of the season after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Yadah FC in a thrilling encounter at Ngoni Stadium in Norton.
DeMbare were hoping for a win that would have guaranteed their safety with a game to spare, but it was them who ultimately heaved a sigh of relief after a last-gasp equaliser saved them from a devastating defeat.
Veteran striker Evans Rusike rose from the bench to give the 'Miracle Boys' a stoppage-time lead, sending a wave of panic through the Dynamos faithful.
However, the 'Glamour Boys' immediately hit back through Issakar Mohammed, who scored with virtually the last kick of the match to salvage a crucial point.
The point saw Dynamos remaining stuck in 13th place with 38 points from 33 matches. They now need at least a draw in their last game against FC Platinum to guarantee their safety.
They are level on points with Highlanders, Chicken Inn, and Manica Diamonds above them. The relegation battle remains tight, with Triangle and Bikita Minerals in 14th and 15th place on 37 points, and GreenFuel on 36 points in 16th position on the 18-team standings.
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The result felt like a missed opportunity for Dynamos, especially as Yadah were forced to play the last 10 minutes with 10 men after Francis Mustafa was injured and the team had exhausted their substitutions.
For Yadah, they live to fight another day but will need nothing short of a miracle to survive, remaining second from bottom with 35 points.
Dynamos coach Kelvin Kaindu accepted the point with cautious optimism.
"Yeah, slowly we keep on picking points. I think the start for the team was not very good,” Kaindu said.
“Despite the points that we keep on collecting, all the games that we have been playing, we are still down there.
“But for us to wait until the last day, maybe this is where we need to see the mental strength and also the character.
“A point today, especially in this game, is a plus for us, but we could have come out with a maximum point.”
Yadah interim coach Brenna Msiska was visibly disappointed with his team conceding the late goal.
"Anyway, football happens, playing with 10 guys and then, what more do you expect?
“It's so disappointing, but otherwise they fought very hard. We still wait for another game to play, anything can happen,” he said.
“One point is a big point, you never know what will happen in the next game, but for sure in the next game, it's a must-win for us.”
Dynamos were denied by the crossbar inside five minutes after Yadah keeper Taimon Mvula brilliantly stopped a Frank Agyemang shot from an angle.
The rebound fell to Vhusa Ngwenya whose headed effort crashed off the woodwork and back into play.
Yadah had a brilliant chance halfway through the first half when the Dynamos defence failed to deal with a long ball, which fell graciously to Shingai Masukuta, but he dragged his shot wide with only the goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa to beat.
Mvula made smart saves to deny Shadreck Nyahwa and Leeroy Mavunga before halftime.
Mavunga had the first real chance to score early in the second half after breaking free on the left flank but again could not beat Mvula from close range.
Moments later it was Tafiremutsa's turn to save DeMbare, denying Jerry Chipangura from close range.
DeMbare continued to dominate, but could not find the all-important goal.
The drama unfolded in stoppage time when veteran Rusike thought he had given Yadah the victory with a well-taken counter-attacking goal.
But there was time for more drama as DeMbare immediately equalised with virtually the last kick of the game, Mohammed heading home an Abel Gwatidzo cross after a short corner kick.
Teams
Yadah FC: T Mvula, M Mlilo (V Sango 59'), A Gwatidzo, T Maguranyanga, A Dzingai (F Mustapha 67'), I Mucheneka, A Makopa, J Chipangura (M Faranando 77'), S Masukuta ( E Rusike 77'), T Vareta, K Nadolo (R Ncube 77')
Dynamos: P Tafiremutsa, T Magwaza, A Gwatidzo, C Mandivei, I Mohammed, T Pio, V Ngwenya (T Chiwunga 63'), S Nyahwa, F Agyemang, J Kasondo , L Mavunga (D Mukamba 83')
