Dynamos 1-2 Motor Action
DYNAMOS’ eight-match winning streak was ended on Sunday as Motor Action emphasised their own title ambitions at Rufaro.
Dynamos, boasting the league’s meanest defence, were up against the best attacking force in the Premier League and their closest pursuers in the title race.
Withought their top strikers Cuthbert Malajila and the suspended Evans Gwekwerere, Dynamos found themselves ahead after just 15 minutes as midfielder Ashley Rambanepasi connected David Kutyauripo’s cross from the right.
Zimbabwe’s Champions League representatives had a chance to double their lead on 42 minutes but Murape Murape shot wide after being set up by strike partner Benjamin Marere.
Motor Action were stung into action and Edward Tembo soon raced clear – only to see his shot parried away for a corner by Dynamos shot stopper Washington Arubi.
From the corner, Enasio Perezu headed firmly past Arubi to bring the Mighty Bulls level at half time.
Dynamos coach Elvis Chiweshe wrung the changes after the break, throwing in Augustine Mbara for Nicholas Alifandaka and Francis Mandiwanzira for Eddie Mashiri.
The changes appeared to give them a lift but against the run of play, Motor Action broke clear with Charles Sibanda who went down under the challenge of Kutyauripo.
The reigning referee of the year Thabani Mkantjo pointed to the spot as Dynamos players surrounded him. Murape was booked for his energetic protest before Allan Gahadzikwa stepped up and coolly beat Arubi.
Dynamos had been broken, and their discipline seemed to have deserted them too. When Murape Murape petulantly kicked out at Milton Ncube in an off-the-ball incident, Mkantjo sent him for an early shower.
The win lifted Motor Action a point clear of Dynamos on 25 points from ten matches, although Chiweshe’s men have a game-in-hand.
In his post-match comments, Chiweshe heaped blame for his team’s defeat on Bulawayo referree Mkantjo.
"We played very well today but the referee Mkantjo played a big part in our downfall," said Chiweshe."We know these rules of the game. That was not a penalty. That young man (Charles Sibanda) dived and it was surprising to see the referee awarding a penalty. I told him (Mkantjo) that he played a big part in this defeat."
Motor Action coach Joey Antipas said his team’s victory would give them confidence going forward.
"For any team to beat Dynamos it's special," he said after the match. "It’s good to win at this stage of the season. It gives players confidence. The challenge for us now is to stay focused."
TEAMS
Dynamos
W Arubi, D Kutyauripo, B Tuwaya, A Rambanepasi, E Mashiri( F Mandiwanzira 64th minute), Murape M, G Magariro, M Makopa, B Marere, G Zhokinyu, N Alifandika (A Mbara 64th minute)
Motor Action
M Jani, M Longwe (M Mambare 64th), N Njelele, T Ndlovu, B Ncube(W Kupera 69th), C Sibanda, E Perezo, A Gahadzikwa, M Ncube, E Tembo, P Bernard
Premier Soccer League Results
Saturday
CAPS United 2-3 Monomotapa; Gunners 0-1 Eagles; Lengthens 1-0 Shooting Stars; Douglas Warriors 2-1 FC Victoria; Black Mambas 0-0 Kiglon
Sunday
Dynamos 1-2 Motor Action; Shabanie Mine 1-1 Hwange