Dynamos recorded a third consecutive win with a 2-0 win against a stubborn ZPC Kariba side in a cagey Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.
Ghanaian forward Emmanuel Paga gave Dynamos the lead in the eighth minute lead from the penalty spot after ZPC Kariba defender Diro Nyenye handled under pressure to clear Bill Antonio’s cross from the right.
Dynamos were guilty of switching off after taking the lead, as ZPC Kariba dominated proceedings from there on. In the end Dynamos managed to hold on to their lead before Antonio, who put up a man of the match performance last week ended the match as a contest in stoppage time blasting home from close range after a sweeping counter attacking move.
While it was a far from convincing display by the Glamour Boys who were disjointed all afternoon, their coach Tonderai Ndiraya was happy with the result.
“I am very happy with the performance of the team and of course you always want more from your team. Defensively we put up a good show but offensively we were not as fluid as we normally do,” Ndiraya said.
“At the end of the day what is important are three points, we got three points today but most importantly we got three wins on the trot which is quite remarkable.
“That was our target and of course we go step by step, game by game. We got two wins in a row today we got three so our next target is four,” Ndiraya said.
The result ensured DeMbare maintained their brilliant run in the league since recovering from a difficult start to the campaign.
Ndiraya’s men are now in third position on the log with 16 points after eight matches, just three points behind the overnight leaders Chicken Inn.
The GameCocks provisionally moved to the top of the log after a come from behind to beat Black Rhinos 2-1 at Luveve Stadium.
Rhinos thought they had collected maximum points as they led for long periods in the match courtesy of Stanley Murove’s 36th strike before Brian Muza struck twice in a space of two minutes in the 83rd and 85th minute to seal a thrilling win for Chicken Inn.
In what was arguably the main match of the afternoon striker MacDonald Makuwe was the hero for Ngezi Platinum when he scored the solitary goal they needed to record their maiden league win against FC Platinum in the platinum debry at Mandava yesterday.
Makuwe scored what turned out to be Ngezi Platinum’s best and only clear chance of the game, as they beat their platinum rivals for the first since their promotion into the top-flight league.
FC Platinum were the dominant side in the match in terms of both possession and creating chances but ultimately lacked the killer instinct in front of goal.
Meanwhile at Baobab, Yadah and Bulawayo City played out a goalless draw.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Week Eight results and fixtures
Saturday: Chicken Inn 2-1 Black Rhinos; Yadah 0-0 Bulawayo City; FC Platinum 0-1 Ngezi Platinum; Dynamos 2-0 ZPC Kariba
Sunday: Caps United vs Highlanders (NSS, live on ZTN.); Tenax vs Herentals (Sakubva); Bulawayo Chiefs vs Harare City (Luveve Stadium); Triangle United vs Whawha (Gibbo Stadium); Cranborne Bullets vs Manica Diamonds (Baobab Stadium).