Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)0
ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0)0
HARARE giants Dynamos failed to build on last week's Castle Challenge Cup triumph after they were held to a goalless draw by a rock-solid ZPC Kariba in a drab encounter at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
Backed by a vocal crowd, DeMbare were hoping to kick-start the season with maximum points but found the visitors in an uncompromising mood.
Save for one chance in the 32nd minute when Valentine Kadonzvo ran through on goal, the Glamour Boys never looked like they would score a goal in the match.
ZPC Kariba had the best defence last season in which they conceded 18 goals from 34 matches. It appears they will be a hard nut to crack yet again this year.
In the end, Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigowe could only praise the visitors for their solid defence.
"Like I said before the match, it was always going to be a tricky match. If you remember last season we drew one-all with ZPC. They have not given us space and they came to get a draw. They were tenacious in defending and we played only on the break. Otherwise, we wanted the win more than them. They came here to sit and defend and make sure that they won't concede a goal. In the end, we shared the spoils, probably a true reflection of the tactical approach of both teams. I think that's good enough," he said.
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It was a match that provided very little goalmouth action, especially in the first half where neither team could fashion a clear goalscoring chance.
The ZPC Kariba defence was breached for the first time just after the half-hour mark when Leeroy Mavunga's lofted through ball picked out Kadonzvo who beat an outdrawn ZPC Kariba goalkeeper Tatenda Munditi but his went wide.
The visitors had an early chance in the second half with Frank Kuchinei making a smart save following a Collin Muleya snapshot.
They dominated the early exchanges but still failed to test Kuchinei.
ZPC Kariba also carried an aerial threat with Muleya heading wide a couple of times from corner kicks.
Dynamos finished strong with a lion's share of possession but could not bother the ZPC Kariba's imperious defence marshalled by captain Boyd Mutukure.
ZPC Kariba coach Newton Chitehwe was pleased with how his side managed to get a point playing Dynamos away from home.
"We worked on consolidating the way we defended last year and also tried to improve going forward. We did well but as games come by, I think we are going to be better. But for today, playing against Dynamos here, the pressure, the supporters and everything, we did well in terms of defending even in winning tussles. We planned for a win, we wanted to win this game, at least maybe by a goal to nil, but I know my brother is good at defending also, so that's why maybe we didn't see a lot of attacks from both sides," Chitehwe said.
Meanwhile, newcomers MWOS FC made a huge statement after they beat traditional giants Highlanders 1-0 in their first match in top flight football at Baobab Stadium.
Tafadzwa George scored the only goal after stealing the ball from Bosso goalkeeper Raphael Pitisi to roll the ball into the empty net.
It's a disastrous start to the season for Bosso who lost some of the key players during the off-season break.
Teams:
Dynamos: P Tafiremutsa, E Jalai, N Chinyerere, C Mandivei, T Magwaza, S Nyahwa, E Chikona( E Perezo 80'), T Chiwunga, F Agyemang (J Kasondo 80'), L Mavunga ( A Gwatidzo 71), V Kadonzvo ( Tellmore Pio 54')
ZPC Kariba: T Munditi, B Mutukure, M Gavaza, S Chimanikire, K Madima, C Muleya, V Zviripai, S Kamwendo , W Kamurai (R Masuku 85'), Shoko ( E Ruwo 65'), S Ngala ( M Demera 65')
