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CAN’T TOUCH THIS . . . Dynamos rightback Godknows Murwira (left) and his teammates celebrate after scoring his side’s first goal against Border Strikers in a Castle Lager Premiership soccer match at Rufaro yesterday. – Picture by Justin Mutenda

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
Dynamos ………… (0) 2

Border Strikers…..0

DYNAMOS continued with their revival story yesterday when they powered to a fifth win on the trot but their coach Lloyd Mutasa said they will not look far ahead of themselves after dismissing newboys Border Strikers in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro.

This clearly was not one of the best performances by the Harare giants but a Godknows Murwira 65th minute bolt from the blue and a spectacular finish by Kudzanayi Nyakasaka on the stroke of full-time secured the maximum points and drew them to within four points behind log leaders FC Platinum, who were held to a goalless draw by CAPS United at home on Saturday.

DeMbare climbed one place to fourth on the table with 23 points.

With a lot of relief on his face, Mutasa said DeMbare are focused on collecting points and was happy with the consistent run of results. He was also thrilled his team did not concede a goal in their last three outings.

Dynamos have recovered from a poor start this season and Mutasa believes it is still early for them to start talking about their chances in the championship race.

“As I said before, the destiny of the league is not in our hands. We just want to play and collect points, we are not thinking about the championship yet.

“I think it’s another (good) win and without conceding a goal as well. We have gone three matches without conceding a goal, which is okay for us. Today we have scored two goals, which is good for us going forward,” said Mutasa.

But the win yesterday did not come easy. The Glamour Boys struggled to unlock their opponents in the first half as Border Strikers threw everything to stay afloat.

In fact, the visitors, who appeared to have grown in confidence with each passing minute, were not really bothered in their own half.

They were coming on the back of 10 defeats and two wins in their last 12 matches and Dynamos had looked to steamroll past their opponents.

Mutasa’s men, however, could not get clear-cut chances with forwards King Nasama and Roderick Mutuma off form.

The closest they came, DeMbare were denied by the crossbar soon after the restart.

Mutuma shook off his markers and surged into the box but his shot was blocked by the visitors’ goalkeeper Talent Sundae.

Newboy Simbarashe Gorogodyo’s follow-up shot crashed against the woodwork with the keeper already beaten.

But there was still a sense of belief among the Dynamos supporters, who were patient enough until the middle of the second half, when their side finally got the breakthrough.

It had appeared Dynamos needed something supernatural to break the deadlock. Their bench seemed to agree to the idea as well and midway through the second half, DeMbare officials sent one of their ball boys to sprinkle the Border Strikers’ goal with salt.

DeMbare then were preparing to take a free-kick deep on the left after Gorogodyo was fouled. Murwira stepped up and unleashed a rising shot which somehow deceived the goalkeeper Talent Sundae and curled into the top corner of the nets to ignite wild celebrations among the home side’s faithful.

Seemingly, their idea, which they believe would neutralise opponents’ juju, had worked.

It also appeared the goal gave Dynamos the momentum they had lacked in the first half and substitute Kudzanayi Nyakasaka could have added to their tally in the 71st minute when he weaved into the box and decided to square the ball into the area for midfielder Masimba Mambare who could not control it.

Tichaona Chipunza then tried from a distance but his rising shot just went over. Nyakasaka, who brought urgency to the Dynamos attack, had another good chance in the 86th minute when he burst into the box but could not keep his shot in range.

However, there was nothing to deny him his glory when he received a good pass from fellow substitute Musa Madhiri with 90 minutes on the clock. Nyakasaka turned his markers and created pockets of space between the two defenders before placing the ball beyond the reach of the diving goalkeeper.

“Obviously when you play such teams, at times psychologically the youngsters will come thinking they will hammer their opponents but in the Premiership there are no longer small teams hence we ended up pushing the guys at half-time.

“I think there is an element of consistency going five games without a defeat. But it’s not much. Dynamos is accustomed to it and we have to look forward as well.

“In football, learning doesn’t end. We always learn every day and we are still learning but I think we will be getting better as we go forward,” said Mutasa.

Border Strikers on their part did not create good scoring opportunities but they gave their fancied hosts some few anxious moments as well.

Their forward William Nyoni got probably one of their best chances in the 84th minute but he could not keep his footing when sent through on goal.

Border Strikers coach Never Malunga said his side were unfortunate to lose this match, especially after putting a good fight against the former champions.

“It was unfortunate today, we played a good first half and come the second, I think my boys lost concentration and we conceded. That’s what football is like.

“We will pick up. If we take it up from where we left today, I think the next game we are going to play well and will get a positive result. I know we are going to survive, the chances are high. It’s a matter of time,” said Malunga.

Teams

Dynamos: T. Mukuruva, G. Murwira, O. Mushure, S. Linyama, O. Mwerahari, S. Alimenda, T. Chipunza, M. Mambare (C. Rusere, 90th minute), S. Gorogodyo (M. Madhiri, 80th minute), R. Mutuma, K. Nasama (K. Nyakasaka, 58th minute)

Border Strikers: T. Sundae, T. Jaravani, M. Mwenya, F. Mukarati (B. Junildy, 62nd minute), E. Mwinga, G. Mukambi, L. Genti (R. Sibanda, 78th minute), B. Chirimanzi, H. Chikosa, W. Nyoni, M. Chirape (T. Kalunga, 62nd minute).