DEVELOPMENTAL PLAYERS (U19s Born from January 2004)

HIGHLANDERS . . . . . . . . . . . (0)3

CHEGUTU PIRATES . . . . . . . . . . 0

A VINTAGE second-half display by Highlanders ensured that the Bulawayo giants stayed on top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table after subduing Chegutu Pirates at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

A tactical introduction of youngster Prince Ndlovu for Godfrey Makaruse was what the doctor ordered as Chegutu Pirates succumbed to the pressure with Bosso running riot in the second stanza.

The match kicked off with both teams showing their intentions and Highlanders had the first opportunity in the ninth minute when Andrew Mbeba's long range effort deceived the goalkeeper Arnold Munkuli, but the upright came to Chegutu Pirates’rescue.

Pirates then launched their own attack but Tinashe Mwafulirwa's cross intended for Cleopas Dube was mis-timed by the striker and Bosso defence recovered to clear.

Pirates were forced to make an injury-inspired substitution in the 21st minute when they pulled out right back Rodwell Mhlanga for Learnmore Chibaya.

The closest Pirates got to breaking the deadlock was in the 23rd minute when Gift Mwinga skinned his marker and his cut back was well-struck by Elisha Zulu, but Ariel Sibanda pulled out a brilliant save, plucking it out from the top corner.

In the 35th minute, Lynoth Chikuhwa for Bosso came up with a fine cross from the right which was poorly dealt with by Munkuli and McKinnon Mushore’s volley was cleared off the line.

Towards halftime, Chikuhwa’s header needed an acrobatic save from Munkuli to latch onto it as it appeared headed for the top corner.

For all their hard work in the first half, Pirates cancelled everything they did in the second-half as Bosso went on overdrive.

A few seconds after the resumption, Brighton Ncube's glancing header from a tantalising Chigumira cross beat Munkuli all systems out, as it nestled into the far corner.

A brilliant interchange of passes between Archiford Faira and substitute Prince Ndlovu in the 58th minute, resulted in the former coming face-to-face with Munkuli but the goalkeeper's right foot did just enough to deny the enterprising left back.

Ncube completed his brace in the 63rd minute when he bulldozed through a cluster of defenders and after a tussle of possession, he broke through and fired an angled strike that beat a diving Munkuli, much to the delight of the Bosso faithfuls.

In the 70th minute, the menacing Ndlovu broke free on the left and his curling effort drew the best out of Munkuli as he tipped it over the crossbar.

Ndlovu was back again to haunt Pirates on the left in the 88th minute when he broke free and delivered an inch perfect cross onto the path of Chikuhwa who made no mistake inside the 12-yard area.

It was all Highlanders in the closing minutes with substitutes Reason and Marvin Sibanda all coming close, as Bosso threatened to overrun their opponents.

Bosso coach Kelvin Kaindu felt the introduction of Ndlovu at halftime tilted the game to Bosso's favour.

“Scoring three goals without conceding shows that we are improving with each game we are playing. Football is made up of two halves. We thought we would get an early goal in the first half but like most teams that come (to Barbourfields) they sit back. We were also a bit in hurry in the few chances we created in the first-half that made our game a bit difficult. We made one tactical change at halftime, and I think it changed our game,” said Kaindu.

Pirates coach, Emmanuel Day Gutu praised his opponents and opined that they gave them too much respect.

“The atmosphere was electric and intimidating. I think we gave Highlanders too much respect in the middle of the park and we paid dearly for that. Our inexperience was showcased. They really knocked the ball around well and we failed to manage the ball. They had a field day on the left flank, but we are still work in progress,” said Gutu.

Highlanders FC

A Sibanda, M Chigumira, D Mhindirira (R Sibanda 77), L Chikuhwa (B Ndlovu 90), M Mushore ( M Sibanda 77), G Makaruse (P Ndlovu 46), A Mbeba, P Muduhwa, A Faira, B Ncube, M Ncube.

Chegutu Pirates

A Munkuli, T Mwafukira, R Mhlanga (L Chibaya 22), M Meki, E Zulu, T Ditima, A Dzangai (E Gwawawa), G Mwinga (D Phiri), C Dube, R Chifura (T Mavhudzi), W Kamurai ( T Jika)

Source: Newsday

Dynamos 2-2 Hwange

DYNAMOS fans have called for the departure of coach Genesis Mangombe after they surrendered a two-goal lead to share the spoils with Hwange at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday.

DeMbare fans could not hide their frustration as they sang “Kaka Ngaende” at the end of the match. Mangombe is popularly referred to as Kaka. After the stalemate the fans made their feelings on the coach clear.

They want him gone.

Dynamos lost their opening match against Highlanders last weekend 2-1 before yesterday’s two all draw against Hwange. Prior to that, they had lost 2-0 to Ngezi Platinum Stars in the Castle Challenge Cup.

If anything, Mangombe needed to win the game against Hwange to pacify the DeMbare faithful.

But that was not to be.

DeMbare took the lead through Donald Mudadi in the 28th minute with a well-taken strike from just outside the arch. Emmanuel Paga added to DeMbare’s advantage in the second half with a well-taken freekick from the edge of the box.

At that time, Dynamos seemed to have everything under control but Hwange had other plans.

Marceline Mlilo scored Hwange’s first goal with a brilliant freekick from 35m before a Donald Dzvinyai own goal levelled matters.

That was the time drums at Mpilo End stopped beating as Dynamos fans were muted.

At the final whistle, the fans could not stomach the result and they rose into song as they turned on the coach.

Asked on his thoughts on the chants from fans and his job being on the line, Mangombe was confident this was just a passing phase.

“Not really. As a coach you know these guys need results. So if they are not getting results they are disappointed and we allow them to do that. When we are winning, they will sing Kaka is a good coach. So what I need to do is to motivate my boys to do better in the next assignment. Maybe in the third game we are going to make it,” said Mangombe.

The Dynamos coach feels his side is conceding silly goals.

“It’s a game of football. We have to accept some of these things. They normally happen for a reason. I am happy with the response from the boys after the defeat against Highlanders. I am happy with the way we are keeping possession. But, at the end of the day you ask yourself can we keep on conceding these silly goals. We still have to work on these guys, they have to understand they are playing for Dynamos. It’s not acceptable to concede such silly goals,” said Mangombe.

His opposite number Nation Dube said he always felt they still had a chance in the game despite being two goals down.

“I never thought the game was done when we were two goals down. I told myself that with the way they are playing, if we apply ourselves well they are not going to beat us. When we went into the dressing room I told my boys that let’s go one-on-one and then we will see what can come from there. Barbourfields is like our second home ground, if you look outside, we had some fans supporting us so we have supporters when we are playing here,” said Dube.

The match had a delayed start as the two teams were at loggerheads over kit issues. The game started 30 minutes later than it was supposed to.

Dynamos’ keeper Martin Mapisa was putting on a red jersey, which clashed with that of Hwange’s in-field players. The visitors wanted Mapisa to change, however, as the home side, DeMbare refused as the rules state that the away team has to change.

After a lengthy delay, Chipangano finally gave in and changed to their red and black strip.

At the start of the game, DeMbare were the hungrier of the two teams and created chances as early as the third minute of the game.

In the third minute, Paga sent in a beautiful cross which Nomore Chinyerere, failed to properly connect with and his weak effort was saved by Hwange’s shot stopper Wellington Muuya.

DeMbare continued asking questions and in the 15th minute, Muuya was brought into action again by Paga, but the forward’s effort was saved.

Teams

Dynamos: Martin Mapisa, Emmanuel Jalai, Shadreck Nyahwa (Issa Sadiki, 72nd minute), Donald Dzvinyai, Kevin Moyo, Tanaka Shandirwa (Arthur Musiyiwa, 68th minute), Fredrick Ansa Fredrick-Botchway, Donald Mudadi (Temptation Chiwunga 83rd minute), Nomore Chinyerere, Emmanuel Paga (Sadney auto-Khob 83rd minute), Keith Madera (Valentine Kadonzvo 72nd minute).

Hwange: Wellington Muuya, Jofias Mumpande, Bhekani Sibanda, Kelly Shiyandindi, Lukas Sibanda, Solomon Sithole, Shepard Gadzikwa, Canaan Nkomo (Prosper Mathe 63rd minute), Mongameli Tshuma, Gwift Mbweti (Prichard Mpelele 63rd minute), Marcelline Mlilo.

SOURCE: SUNDAY NEWS