DeMbare misstep against How Mine
PSL stops SuperSport weekend broadcast
Dynamos 0-1 How Mine HOW Mine coach Kelvin Kaindu said he was shocked by Dynamos’ pathetic p pere r formance yesterday after the lifeless Glamour Boys turned on a horror show to slump to another home defeat in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at the National Sports Stadium. Lloyd Mutasa’s men succumbed to a late first half header by Toto Banda following a defensive ga f fe i nvolv i ngn g goalkeeper Tonderai THE unavailability of the National Sports Stadium has forced the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League to cancel live broadcast of this weekend’s matches in Harare.
The league’s official broadcaster SuperSport were scheduled to beam live tomorrow’s Caps United and Chapungu clash, Sunday’s epic game pitting league debutants Yadah FC and Dynamos as well as the Harare City and ZPC Kariba clash on Monday.
Kennedy Ndebele, the PSL chief executive officer, said after receiving communication from National Sports Stadium owners, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, they had to stop SuperSport who were already at the Chirundu Border Post on Wednesday.
“Please be advised that we can only accommodate the two matches on 26/4/17 and 27/4/17. The other matches (this weekend’s and next week’s) cannot be accommodated because we are having two major events next week, hence there is need of setting up the venue,” wrote a J Nyikayapera from the ministry.
The major events National Sports Stadium owners are alluding to are Pastor Chris of Christ Embassy’s crusade, which will be held next week as well as the Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) Athletics Championships.
Five Premiership teams, Dynamos, Caps United, Harare City, Black Rhinos and Yadah FC use the National Sports Stadium since Rufaro Stadium is closed for renovations.
Indications are that Rufaro Stadium is likely to be ready for use next week, starting with the potentially explosive Harare derby between Dynamos and Caps United.
The PSL has indicated that postponing games scheduled for the National Sports Stadium will disrupt the league programme.
In their response to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, the PSL wrote: “While we realise that there will be a church crusade on the 7th of May 2017, we feel it is not fair to block us from using the stadium for two weeks. The backlog of Castle Lager fixtures will also affect the registration of clubs representing Zimbabwe for the 2018 Confederation of African Football (Caf) Intercompetition as we are likely to miss the registration deadline. We hereby appeal to you to reconsider your decision and allow us to use the National Sports Stadium on 29/30 April 2017 and 01 May 2017 as this Mateyaunga and Lincolin Zvasiya.
It was Dynamos’ second straight home defeat in the Premiership campaign after they also fell 0-1 to FC Platinum on the opening day of the season.
Kaindu said he was surprised by DeMbare’s poor show.
“I think Dynamos have always been strong. I cannot take away the pedigree that they have, I have got so much respect for them even after collecting maximum points,’’ said the Zambian gaffer.
“But Dynamos are not as strong as we know Dynamos. I have seen Dynamos playing, I think they need to push up a bit.
“The league cannot be exciting without (a strong) Dynamos, honestly.’’
DeMbare were coming from a morale-boosting win away in Hwange but yesterday’s defeat could hamper the momentum that they had gathered especially after beating two of their biggest rivals Highlanders and CAPS United to win the Independence Cup last week.
However, some critics will say both Bosso and Makepekepe didn’t field their strongest teams in that tournament.
Mutasa yesterday still got a standing ovation from the fans after the match on his way back to the dressing room despite his team’s shocking poor show.
Dynamos were forced to make adjustments to the starting line-up following the injuries to key players Ocean Mushure, Denver Mukamba, Gift Saunyama and Masimba Mambare but the depth of his rebuilding exercise was cruelly exposed by How Mine.
The passing, which they appeared to have perfected in previous assignments, was atrocious and in all they played second fiddle to the visitors.
There was no determination among the Dynamos players and the supporters, who braved the chilly wet weather, were up with whistles of disapproval for the better part of the match to make their feelings known.
DeMbare survived a flurry of assaults in the first half but Emmanuel Mandiranga missed a sitter with their best opportunity which fell on the 28th minute following an interchange that involved Quality Kangadze and Wisdom Mutasa.
They were punished in the 44th minute when Zvasiya failed to communicate with his keeper will not directly affect the church crusade activities scheduled for 07 May 2017.”
In the event that the ministry does not reconsider its decision, the league might be forced to postpone the games set for Harare or look for an alternative venue such as Gwanzura or Morris Depot, which once hosted topflight games. and nodded the ball into the path of Banda after Mateyaunga had already left his line.
Takunda Sadiki had a glorious opportunity to square things up 10 minutes after the interval but somehow his shot kissed the base of the upright and was deflected out with the ‘keeper Donovan Bernard badly exposed.
DeMbare could have conceded a second in time added on when How Mine made a counter attack with Kudzai Chideu only for the striker’s chip to come off the woodwork.