Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
THE Battle of Zimbabwe turned out to be a big yawn yesterday after Castle Lager Premiership football giants Dynamos and Highlanders produced subdued performances in a goalless draw at the National Sports Stadium.
With little to offer in terms of entertainment, the draw was probably a fair result and both teams and their supporters seemed to agree to this outcome.
Unfortunately, this instalment of the Battle of Zimbabwe, which is the biggest match on the domestic football calendar, came at a time when the giants have nothing much to fight for except the bragging rights, after the league title was won by FC Platinum list week.
But with their pride to uphold, both Dynamos and Highlanders turned up at the National Sports Stadium cautious and highly-tactical.
There was little goalmouth action and neither was there room for individual brilliance, which is usually anticipated at the big stage.
Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya felt the draw was deserved.
“The two teams were a bit hesitant,” he said.
“They were not really going at each other. We thought the excitement from the terraces would spur on the players to really have a go at the game but it was a little bit flat to be honest but a balanced affair and in the end I thought a draw was a fair result.
“Of course, on our end we are disappointed we couldn’t get maximum points playing at home. Disappointing in terms of entertainment but I thought the competition was great,” said Ndiraya. With the draw, DeMbare’s quest for a second place finish suffered a beating while Highlanders also lost their place in the top four.
Dynamos are now two points behind rivals Chicken Inn who moved to 59 points on Saturday following their 2-1 win over CAPS United.
Highlanders, on the other end, dropped out of the top four, although their coach Baltemer Brito was happy with the point on the road. The Portuguese coach however, was not happy the match could not live up to the hype.
“This is one of the games that are expected in the country. We also create our own expectations about the game. In our opinion this is a beautiful stadium that deserves a beautiful match of football.
“Now we can confirm that in Zimbabwe there is talent because it was a good game, a much tactical game. But I think both teams respect each other too much.
“We also want to congratulate both teams because in the end there wasn’t a case in terms of violence or hooliganism. I think the only part that was missing was the fans that should have come out in larger numbers than those here,” said Brito.
The small but vociferous crowd tried to lift the spirits of the players on the pitch but there was no magic as both teams did their best to close spaces and making play difficult.
The first half, in particular, was a big flop. There were no clear cut chances at both ends of goal although Lynoth Chikuhwa came close when he dragged his shot just wide of target from a perfect pass by Devine Mhindirira.
The first decent shot on target came after 52 minutes when Bosso midfielder Darlington Mukuli attempted from a distance and forced a good save from goalkeeper Taimon Mvula.
King Nadolo had the DeMbare fans on their feet when he unleashed a ferocious shot at the other end of goal that crashed against the crossbar and bounced back into play before Bosso defenders recovered.
Play continued to swing at both ends and Dynamos keeper Mvula made a brilliant intervention when he poked the ball with his glove from a dangerous delivery by Chikuhwa midway through the second half.
Highlanders keeper Raphael Pitisi, who took the place of injured Ariel Sibanda, also made a good save to deny Frank Makarati from a close-range header after 69 minutes.
DeMbare made another fine move late in the game but substitute Emmanuel Paga made a wild shot after he was set up by Nadolo inside the box. And as the game trudged to an expected end, Bosso midfielder Mhindirira was lucky to escape with a caution from referee Thabani Bamala following a lunge on DeMbare skipper Partson Jaure.
Teams
Dynamos: T. Mvula, E. Jalai, T. Muringai, P. Jaure, F. Makarati, T. Mavhunga, K. Murera (M. Orfori, 73rd minute), J. Makunike, K. Nadolo, I. Sadiki (E. Paga, 82nd minute), T. Makanda (E. Katema, 73rd minute)
Highlanders: R. Pitisi, C. Ncube, A. Faira, A. Mbeba, P. Muduhwa, D. Mukuli, A. Silla, L. Chikuhwa, D. Mhindirira, R. Kutsanzira (B. Sibanda, 73rd minute), S. Ngala (W. Navaya, 73rd minute) – The Herald
