Poor Dembare miss out on top four

Dynamos 2 - 3 Chicken Inn
IN a season they have made a mockery of the big institution they are, Dynamos ended a forgetful 2016 with a loss to Chicken Inn to finish outside the top four for the first time since 2006 in a thrilling encounter at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.

DeMbare were full of drama, just like their season as they fired two coaches, ending the match with 10-men and also having head coach Lloyd Mutasa sent-off the technical bench by referee Norman Matemera, for over protesting a yellow card to Godknows Murwira.

Through Murirwa, who was used as a striker, Dynamos took the lead in the first minute of the game, but Chicken Inn restored parity in the 23rd minute through a sublime Darryl Nyandoro free-kick from 25 yards. Rahman Gumbo's men, however, collected maximum points courtesy of an additional time strike by second half substitute Obadiah Tarumbwa who bagged a brace that secured Chicken Inn fourth position. DeMbare would have ended the season number four if they had avoided defeat.

Dynamos appeared to have salvaged a draw after King Nasama, who replaced Valentine Ndaba in the second half, headed in a Murirwa free-kick from the left flank. Nasama's strike had restored parity at 2-2 in a swinging tie that saw Chicken Inn put in front by Tarumbwa's fourth touch after introduction.

The visitors had been lucky to go into the breather at level after Takunda Sadiki and Ndaba's efforts hit the cross bar.

Dynamos assistant coach Murape Murape admitted it was a disappointing season and said it was made worse by the loss which he attributed to poor officiating.

"There is nothing that we can say, everyone saw what happened — the referees, I think they had a good game," he said.

"We are not happy with the officiating, we played well but these things happen in football so we just have to look forward to next season. It is disappointing, but also we have to look at the positives, we came from number 15 and to be on position five is much better. So the next important thing is to look forward and prepare for next year and come back very strongly," Murape said.

For Gumbo it was a positive finish which he hopes can inspire the next season.

"We wanted to finish in the top four because we have been building a team and we want continuity for next season," Gumbo said.

"I am bringing in youngsters and we will continue from where we left this season, sometimes you have to be very serious about your ambitions. We were fighting Dynamos for the fourth position and we got what we wanted, tough luck to Dynamos," he said.