Dynamos 0-0 Chapungu

HARARE – Chapungu frustrated Dynamos at Rufaro on Thursday, as Lloyd Mutasa returned to the touchline for the Harare side.

Dynamos, still smarting from Sunday’s 3-0 thrashing to Highlanders at Barbourfields, were largely poor before their home fans. In the end, they got what they deserved: just a point and no goal.

There were a lot of expectations from their new recruit Kingstone Nkatha, who made his debut against the Gweru side but he too failed to impose himself on the match. No doubt, he will blame the lack of supply from his midfielders.

Apart from a few flashes of brilliance from Denver Mukamba, the hosts struggled for fluency.  It was Chapungu instead who asserted themselves like the home team with Clive Rupiya who was being monitored by national coach Sunday Chidzambwa combining well with Allan Tavarwisa as they terrorised the Dynamos defence.

Chapungu were unlucky not to kill off the match at the death when substitute Phillip Marufu’ s header from a cross by Rupiya crashed against the bar.

Dynamos who continue to hover just above the drop zone with just 30 points, have failed to score in their last two matches and Mutasa – who missed the trip to Highlanders as he was assisting Chidzambwa in Congo – is worried by the team’s lack of goals.

“I think we will take the point after suffering a defeat last week,” he reflected after the match. “We needed a response but we didn’t get what we expected. It’s worrisome but defensively we were solid, it’s only the attack where we were found wanting. It’s an area we need to address going forward.”

Mutasa thought Nkatha played well in the first half. “It looked like we would score. But in the second half they pumped the ball forward to him in a rush and in most cases the balls were too high for him,” said Mutasa.

Chapungu coach Rodwell Dhlakama was happy with the point but bemoaned the opportunity they missed towards the end.

“It was a difficult game. I’m happy with the point away from home. I can’t fault the players they did well, and we could have killed off the match in the last minute when the ball hit the cross bar,” he said.

Dynamos: S Chinani, P Dube, M Machazane, P Makaha (G Mukambi30′) , J Tigere, J Marufu, K Kumwala ( P Mutasa 79′), G Saunyama, D Mukamba, B Amidu,(Q Kangadzi63′), K Nkatha

Chapungu: T Shumba, E Chitauro, C Kwaramba, B Mbavarira, M Muchingami, I Nyoni, (X Ncube 74′), J Jam. A Tavarwisa, (P Marufu 57′), C Rupiya, R Manuvire (M Mavhuto 63′), H Mugoniwa