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Eddie Chikamhi

Senior Sports Reporter

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

Bulawayo Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . .   0

DYNAMOS coach Genesis Mangombe yesterday felt his team was robbed of a win against bogey side Bulawayo Chiefs after they had a goal disallowed for an offside in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Bulawayo Chiefs at Rufaro yesterday.

The giants endured a frustrating afternoon in this goalless match that was attended by high ranking officials from FIFA led by the organisation’s Head of Development Programmes – Africa Solomon Mudege.

The officials are in Zimbabwe to review the progress in the country’s reintegration efforts under the ZIFA Normalisation Committee. The ZIFA officials and DeMbare’s hierarchy led by board chairman Bernard Marriot also watched the match.

But scenes almost turned ugly in the 57th minute when DeMbare players mobbed the referees in protest after Kelvin Moyo’s goal was disallowed for offside.

The fans as well felt shortchanged by the decision but, unlike the previous day when the match between FC Platinum and CAPS United was abandoned because of protests against referees’ decision, the situation was quickly brought under control, as DeMbare continued with a difficult start to the 2024 campaign.

“To me it’s not frustrating especially with the way we played and the way we presented ourselves,” said Mangombe after the match.

“But some of the decisions made by the match officials are now causing us to lose maximum points and this is the second game it has happened.

“In my opinion, I thought it was a clear goal. I didn’t see any infringement; we didn’t see any sense of offside. The referee pointed at the centre, meaning it was a goal.

“Then later on after the guys are celebrating he decided to raise the flag up. Some of these decisions are now critical and are causing problems for us,” said Mangombe.

Mangombe, who could be feeling the pressure following a slow start to the campaign, made three changes to his team yesterday, bringing back Tanaka Shandirwa, who had just returned from injury, as well as Keith Madera and Emmanuel Ziocha into the starting lineup.

The Glamour Boys enjoyed much of the possession in the first half with Shandirwa, Issa Sadiki and captain Emmanuel Jalai making forays into the opponents’ territory.

But most of their attacks fizzled into nothingness as they failed to capitalise on their possession in the final third. In fact, there were no clear cut chances at both ends of goal as Chiefs relied more on the counter attack.

DeMbare’s Sadiki came close with a sliding effort late in the first half but could not commit himself fully with his right boot as the ball rolled out across the face of goal.

Bulawayo Chiefs had a brilliant chance to break the deadlock early in the second half when DeMbare players thought there was an offside.

But near side assistant referee Thomas Kusosa’s flag stayed down giving Nkosilathi Ncube all the time to pick his spot but the midfielder disappointingly skied his effort over the bar with goalkeeper Martin Mapisa to beat in the 53rd minute.

Then DeMbare felt shortchanged after their goal was disallowed for an offside in the 57th minute from a well-rehearsed freekick that was headed back into play by Shadreck Nyahwa before the ball was bundled home by defender Kelvin Moyo inside the box.

Far side assistant referee Sam Mahachi felt Nyahwa was in offside position when he played the ball back to Moyo, forcing referee Tichaona Mbire to reverse his decision to award a goal.

Bulawayo Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda felt the point against DeMbare on the road was massive for his side.

“It’s huge for us; coming to Rufaro and get a point against a team like Dynamos,” he said.

“They are playing well these guys. It’s just that maybe results are not coming their way but they are playing well. They can play in between the lines, they can press high, they attack with width and depth and they are doing very well. So, to come here and get a point is a good result for us,” said Sibanda.

Teams

Dynamos: Martin Mapisa, Emmanuel Jalai, Shadreck Nyahwa (T. Chiwunga, 75th min), Donald Dzvinyai, Kelvin Moyo, Emmanuel Ziocha (N. Chinyerere, 60th min), Fredrick Ansa Botchway, Tanaka Shandirwa, Emmanuel Paga (A. Mandinyenya, 75th min), Issa Sadiki (E. Illunga, 75th min), Keith Madera (E. Chikona, 60th min),

Bulawayo Chiefs:

Prosper Matutu, Ciphas Musikavanhu, Leroy Ndlovu (M. Sithole, 72nd min), Xolisani Moyo, Nkosilathi Ncube (B. Sibanda, 84th min), Lucky Ndlela (J. Nyabinde, 72nd min), Panashe Shoko, Never Rauzhi, Malvern Hativagoni, Godfrey Muchenje, Jameson Masaza (B. Addotey, 61st min).