Dynamos fire blanks again THEIR FACES SAY IT ALL . . . The gloom in the Dynamos camp can be read from the body language of the players, sitting on their bench, at the National Sports Stadium yesterday as the champions crashed to yet another demoralising home loss in a Castle Lager Premiership tie. — (Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

Eddie Chikamhi : Sports Reporter

Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

How Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

ALARM bells are ringing louder by the day in the Dynamos camp after the Glamour Boys fired blanks again yesterday as they staggered to a fourth consecutive goalless draw in a Castle Lager Premiership match against How Mine at Rufaro yesterday.The Glamour Boys coach Lloyd Mutasa said it was getting “worrisome” that they have now gone for over 360 minutes of play without finding the target after watching his charges blow away some chances and then survive a late backlash from the visitors.

Ironically, How Mine are the team that halted DeMbare’s winning run, which had stretched five matches just before the Premiership break, when the two teams played out a goalless draw in the reverse fixture in Bulawayo. That result was followed by similar stalemates in the back-to-back clashes with Sunday Chidzambwa’s ZPC Kariba.

Mutasa was particularly unhappy with the poor finishing after the team fluffed the opportunities they created yesterday with a number of CAPS United fans at Rufaro not only giving How Mine a standing ovation but mocking the misfiring Glamour Boys.

“It’s very worrisome. You go four games without scoring a goal, I think it’s not good for us. But such is football. We have to go back to the drawing board and try as much as we can to work hard.

“We were getting into the attacking third but an element of anticipation from our youngsters was a bit down hence we could not get the goals,” said Mutasa.

DeMbare yesterday started with lots of promise with Denver Mukamba running the show in midfield but they later fizzled out and allowed their opponents to come into the game.

Defender Marshal Machazane gave a good account of himself after getting the nod to replace injured Sydney Linyama as the side recorded their eighth clean sheet.

Masimba Mambare nearly gave them the breakthrough when he connected a ball swung in from a corner kick by Ocean Mushure with only 11 minutes played but his header was thwarted by alert goalkeeper Donovan Bernard.

The partnership of Jacob Muzokomba and Rodreck Mutuma, though, didn’t tick as Mutasa might have wanted.

How Mine then found their footing by raising their game in the midfield where Pasca Manhanga, the imposing Makundika Sakala and new-signing Milton Ncube – the best player on view yesterday – fought for every ball.

The Bulawayo side gave an improved performance in the second half and Manhanga had a long range attempt which flew just over the crossbar in the 62nd minute.

Toto Banda then failed to control his header from a corner kick by Milton Ncube in the 69th minute after DeMbare defenders had failed to track him inside the box.

But Mutuma had the chance to settle matters for Dynamos about two minutes later after substitute Kudzanayi Nyakasaka won possession inside the How Mine box and exchanged passes with fellow substitute Dominic Mukandi.

But, with the ‘keeper at his mercy, Mutuma hesitated to shoot and the chance was gone.

However, Mutasa’s decision to pull him out, under pressure from the fans, was not the right one given that it paralysed the attack and his replacement did not even manage a touch.

Mutuma, just like CAPS United’s Dominic Chungwa might be a forward who frustrates his fans with the way he misses chances but, when it matters most, he usually delivers that killer blow.

DeMbare remained on fourth place in the championship race with 27 points, 10 behind leaders FC Platinum after 17 games.

“No wonder why from the onset I would say the destiny of the championship is not in our hands. We are playing a chasing game and if we cannot score it becomes very difficult. But I am sure one day it will come out well,” said Mutasa.

How Mine also remained unchanged in 13th position and their coach Kelvin Kaindu was disappointed by the failure to collect maximum points.

“If you are to look at the log standings, it’s not good (result). The way it is, it is very tight. I think if you manage to get three points in a match you move on the log standings and if you don’t get those points you either drop down or stay where you are.

“But I think we should have got probably a winner in terms of the way we attacked especially in the last 10 minutes where we created chances and were good going forward. Unfortunately we just managed to come out with a point,” said Kaindu.

Teams

Dynamos: T. Mukuruva, G. Murwira, O. Mushure, M. Machazane, O. Mwerahari, S. Alimenda, M. Mambare, B. Amidu (D. Mukandi, 46th minute), D. Mukamba, R. Mutuma (T. Macheke, 84th min), J. Muzokomba (K. Nyakasaka, 46th min)

How Mine: D. Bernard, P. Tonha, Q. Amini, K. Chideu, T. Kumbhuyani, M. Sakala, T. Banda, P. Manhanga, T. Makanda (K. Musharu, 70th min), M. Ncube (F. Chirinda, 83rd min), T. January (N. Ndale, 62nd min).

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