DeMbare in dull draw

Sport
Dynamos striker Tendai Matindike (in white) runs away outwits Cranborne Bullets attacking midfielder Marlven Mudzuka during a PSL match at the National Sports Stadium

DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

CRANBORNE BULLETS . . . . . 0

DYNAMOS coach Herbert Maruwa was left frustrated by Cranborne Bullets' time-wasting tactics as the Harare giants were held to a draw, missing out on an opportunity to reclaim the top spot on the Castle Premier Soccer League table.

It was a frustrating afternoon for DeMbare whose fans showed up in numbers at the National Sports Stadium on an Easter Monday, but left disappointed not only by their team's disjointed performance, but by their opponets who used every trick in the book to try to kill time.

Bullets goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni, who took every opportunity to go down and waste time, earned himself a yellow card for his antics and so was defender Moreblessing Mushangwe.

Maruwa reacted furiously at the level of time wasting in the game, as he also hit out at Simba Bhora who apparently used the same tactic when the two teams met last week.

“As a team we need to come with a new strategy to get a positive result. Most of the teams are coming with delaying tactics (to frustrate us) like we saw in this game. In the second half we played only 20 minutes, and the rest of the time the goalkeeper was down. Even last week (against Simba Bhora) it was the same, so these teams are coming here with delaying tactics,” Maruwa said.

Dynamos attacker Emmanuel Paga hit the upright with the only meaningful chance they created in this dull encounter as Maruwa's men recorded their second successive goalless draw.

Dynamos moved to third position on the log after yesterday's disappointing draw and while the fans were clearly frustrated by the perfomance, Maruwa somehow found some positives from the lifeless match.

“We didn't score but it's not bad. The good thing is that we are not conceding. We have eight points, so the team is good,” Maruwa said.

Caps United, who beat Black Rhinos 2-0 on Friday, lead the way on 10 points, with defending champions FC Platinum on second with nine points.

Highlanders are fourth with eight points ahead of the clash against Dynamos on Saturday at Barbourfields.

“We still have many games to play. It's still early to talk about the log table. The good thing is we are up there. It's not easy to play 360 minutes without conceding a goal, so it's good for the team and it shows we are in the right direction,” Maruwa added.

Cranborne Bullets coach Nesbert Saruchera, whose team picked a second point of the season to remain second from the bottom on the log table, was happy with the result.

They are the only team in the league yet to score a goal this term.

“We did well to manage the game especially in the second half. We managed to collect a point from the Harare giants, so the progress is good. We are moving in the right direction. I'm hopeful that we are going to collect three points in our next fixture as well as start scoring goals.”

Given that the army side has played all the top three teams from last season in its first four matches of this campaign, Saruchera is pleased with how his campaign is panning out.

The other match was an army derby against Black Rhinos.

“You look at the opponents we have played so far, I think we have done well. These were not easy games playing against Dynamos, Chicken Inn, FC Platinum and Black Rhinos. I can't blame the team for not scoring, but goals will come soon. I can assure that.”

Teams -

Dynamos: T Mvula, E Jalai, E Moyo, F Makarati, K Moyo, D Mudadi (E Ziocha, 60'), T Shandirwa, D Mukamba, T Matindife (A Musiiwa, 60'), E Paga (E Ilunga, 73'), T Makanda (J Barake,  70'),

Cranborne Bullets: T Makoni, M Mushangwe, C Charakupa, N Kupara, N Gurende, K Chidhonza, E Manokore, T Chibunyu (V Mhandu, 85'), M Mudzuka, K Mureremba, B Muzondiwa

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