MANICA DIAMONDS.. (1)1
DYNAMOS .......(0)0
Manica Diamonds FC inflicted the first loss of the season on Harare giants Dynamos in a closely contested Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Sakubva stadium yesterday.
It was an action-packed performance that kept fans on the edge of their seats but it was the me home team which managed to cross the line.
Charles Tegure scored the only goal of the match in the first half.
DeMbare had not lost a match in the league ahead of the ties, having managed three draws and one win.
The Glamour Boys failed to capitalise on last week's big home win over defending champions Simba Bhora at Rufaro Stadium.
After the defeat Dynamos slipped four places to 10th place with six points from five matches while Diamonds climbed up to fourth with 10 points.
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On the other side, Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigowe attributed the loss to a sluggish start.
"We lost it in the first half. We started slowly, and although we tried to push for goals in the second half, Manica Diamonds defended well. Our warm-up time was limited, which impacted our performance," he explained.
The match drew a sizeable crowd eager for excitement.
From the opening whistle, Manica Diamonds displayed their intent to dominate, with winger Teguru and striker Evans Katema coming close to scoring early on.
In the 11th minute, a powerful header from defender Lawrence Mhlanga following a corner kick by Farai Banda rattled the woodwork, signaling Manica's offensive strength.
Their persistence paid off just three minutes later when Teguru connected beautifully with a curling cross from Lawrence Masibera, sending the ball past Dynamos goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa to put Manica Diamonds ahead.
As the first half progressed, Manica Diamonds continued to apply pressure, leaving Dynamos on the back foot. The only significant response from Dynamos came late in the half, when Leroy Mavunga's shot was expertly saved by Manica's keeper, Tedius Baye.
The second half saw a renewed effort from Dynamos, who came out stronger and sought to control the game.
Their star player, Emmanuel Jalai, dropped into central midfield, injecting energy and creativity into their attacks. Despite their improved performance, Dynamos struggled to penetrate the solid Manica defense.
After the match, Manica Diamonds assistant coach Tafadzwa Mashiri expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
"It was a good game in the first half. We overran them and capitalised on our opportunity. However, our conversion rate was poor; we should have scored more. In the second half, we came out flat, but I want to thank the players for their defensive efforts," he said.
As the final whistle blew, Manica Diamonds celebrated a hard-fought victory, while Dynamos faced the challenge of regrouping for their next match.
The encounter highlighted the intensity and unpredictability of the league, promising more thrilling action in the weeks to come.
