BY TERRY MADYAUTA
FC PLATINUM…………0
DYNAMOS FC…………0
DYNAMOS gaffer Tonderai Ndiraya was full of praises for his new acquisitions following their solid individual performances during the goalless draw with defending Champions FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
Ndiraya threw caution to the wind by fielding all six new signings, Ralph Kawondera, Evans Katema, Keith Murera, Brandon Mpofu, Emmanuel Paga and Issa Sadiki, who was introduced as a second half substitute.
Although the match did not really live to its billing, Ndiraya was ecstatic after his men gave a glimpse of what they have in the offing if they are able to maintain their cohesion as a unit.
“I am happy with this performance. Now this is a different Dynamos you have seen. The team is at its best probably for the first time in many years,” said Ndiraya.
“You cannot predict anything from us. When you play away, naturally there is an idea of playing defensive football. To be honest I was very cautious, I wanted the team to defend, but they turned a gear up and were offensive throughout the match.
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“We have been at the receiving end of them in recent times, but we are slowly changing the script. Last time we won and this time we take a point going home, which makes me happy as the coach,” Ndiraya said.
Dynamos started the match on the front-foot as they made some intelligent attacking moves in the early minutes in search of the first goal.
Katema had the first chance of the match in the second minute when he got to the end of a long Taimon Mvula goal-kick, but he uncharacteristically kicked the ball straight into Petros Mhari’s hands.
The Glamour boys kept pressing, with the FC Platinum defenders struggling to contain the sizzling pressure.
The home side, FC Platinum had their first meaningful chance after 40 minutes through Gift Mbweti but his attempted volley went over bar.
Action swiftly swung and Dynamos debutant Murera forced a reflex save from Mhari with a powerful header from close range. His was the late notable action of the first stanza.
Nothing really changed after the break as goals remained elusive, but it was Dynamos who gave a good account of themselves compared to FC Platinum.
The match was halted for almost four minutes, after a fiery fist fight erupted between an FC Platinum supporter and Dynamos multitudes in the stands, resulting in the throwing of missiles.
Teenage forward Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya missed FC Platinum’s best chance of the match, 11 minutes from full time when he lofted a low cross that put Oscar Bhebhe, though with the goalkeeper at his mercy.
Infuriated by how the 19-year-old squandered the golden opportunity at goal, Mapeza withdrew him and threw Nigerian Onafide Abubakar into the fray.
Abubakar hardly caused problems for Dynamos except for one moment when he outpaced Frank Makarati in the box and the defender pulled him down.
And though it appeared to be a genuine penalty for the platinum miners, the referee felt it was a fair challenge and waved play on, much to the chagrin of Mapeza and his technical team.
“The result was fair as far as I am concerned. “We could have done better, but we did not get as many chances today because we are still trying to have our solidity back, with new players, most of the young, coming to join the team,” Mapeza said after the match.
“There is still room for improvement and I can’t complain after getting a point, which is better than losing. We lost the first match since coming from the break and this should be a good starting point as we good forward.”
FC PLATINUM: P Mhari, G Mbweti, W Stima, G Bello, K Mangiza, R Pavari, J Mutudza, B Banda, P Mutimbanyoka (W Musona 71′), O Bhebhe, T Ngwenya ( O Abubakar 79′)
DYNAMOS: T Mvula, E Jalai, F Makarati, P Jaure, K Murera, S Nyahwa, R Kawondera (G Murwira 86′) , E Katema (I Sadiki 80′), E Paga, B Antonio
