Bosso, Dembare sucked in relegation dog fight

A capacity crowd at Barbourfields Stadium witnessed a pulsating Zimbabwean football derby yesterday afternoon, with Dynamos and Highlanders playing out a 1-1 draw in a match that had both teams battling to escape relegation.

The encounter had everything fans love: first-half goals, tense moments hitting the woodwork in the second half, and a spirit of camaraderie between players once the final whistle blew.

Highlanders drew first blood in the 17th minute when Andrew Mbeba delivered a looping cross from a free-kick that Brian Mlotshwa connected with, scoring his first top-flight goal. Dynamos responded late in the first half, with Jairos Kasondo’s speculative effort deflecting off Melikhaya Ncube and beating Ariel Sibanda in goal to level the score. The teams went into the break tied 1-1.

The second half saw a dip in tempo, as both teams seemed content to hold their positions and wait for the other side to make a mistake. However, the closing quarter of the game brought drama, with Kasondo and substitute Reason Sibanda both hitting the woodwork in quick succession, denying either side a winner.

Dynamos coach Kelvin Kaindu reflected on the result:

"A point for us is better. Before we played today, we had dropped into the relegation zone, but a point pushes us away. We could have gone for three points, as we had two big chances towards the end, but a point away from home is better for us."

Highlanders coach Hendrikus Pieter De Jongh was content with the draw:

"I think it's a fair result. We are two points ahead of Dynamos. My job here is to survive. I think we need 39 points, and we now need three more after what happened today."

Dynamos and Highlanders continue their fight for survival in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, with both clubs aware that every remaining point is crucial in the closing stages of the season.

Teams

Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda (gk), Arthur Ndlovu, Brian Mlotshwa, Melikhaya Ncube, Marvin Sibanda (Tendai Muvuti, 80'), Andrew Mbeba, Mason Mushore (Darlington Munkuli, 68'), Never Rauzhi (Reason Sibanda, 68'), Luckmore Mutumbi, Benjamin Adeogun (Brighton Ncube, 80'), Atusaye Nyondo (Prince Ndlovu, 80')

Dynamos: Prince Tafiremutsa (Tatenda Makoni, gk, 65'), Emmanuel Jalai, Abel Gwatidzo, Gumisai Mandivei, Issaka Mohammed, Tellmore Pio, Ross Ngwenya (Enasio Perezo, 61'), Shadreck Nyahwa, Wisdom Mtasa (Temptation Chiwunga, 46'), Jairos Kasondo (Frank Agyemang, 75'), Leeroy Mavunga (Denver Mukamba, 75')