A Rufaro rollercoaster: Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum...

A Rufaro rollercoaster: Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum Stars lock horns in exciting draw

Philemon Jambaya

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum Stars served up a cocktail of excitement and frustration at Rufaro Stadium yesterday, with the final whistle blowing on a pulsating 2-2 draw that did little to appease the anxieties gripping both teams’ coaches.

The match was a microcosm of the pressure both managers currently face. Dynamos, under the stewardship of Genesis Mangombe, saw their early lead, courtesy of a Valentine Kadonzvo thunderbolt, evaporate within minutes. Ngezi, marshalled by Takesure Chiragwi, struck back with a vengeance, first through a poacher’s finish by Takunda Benhura and then a moment of sheer audacity from Farai Madhananga, who launched a wonder strike from the centre circle that deceived the Dynamos goalkeeper.

The drama didn’t end there. Substitute Freddy Alick, with a free-kick worthy of a David Beckham masterclass, hauled Dynamos back into the fray. However, controversy swirled around Ngezis’s second goal, with Dynamos vehemently contesting the awarding of Ngezi’s second goal, claiming a foul in the build-up. This led to a fiery exchange with the referee, Thembinkosi Sibanda, whose performance left a lot to be desired, according to the Dynamos camp. Alick himself was denied a potential winner for offside, further stoking the flames of frustration.

Despite the contentious calls, Mangombe found solace in his players’ fighting spirit. “I’m happy with my boys’ performance,” he declared, although the spectre of the officiating loomed large.

“On their second goal, I thought there was a foul on my player,” he lamented.

“Some of the decisions are now determining the results.”

Ngezi, meanwhile, dominated possession and carved out more scoring opportunities, but their profligacy in front of goal left Chiragwi fuming. The usually composed coach was a picture of agitation throughout the contest, his frustration boiling over on several occasions. His team’s struggles were reflected in his post-match demeanor, disappearing straight down the tunnel after the final whistle.

With both sides languishing in the lower reaches of the table, the pressure remains firmly on the shoulders of Mangombe and Chiragwi. As they head into their next fixtures, they’ll be hoping to channel the attacking verve displayed at Rufaro Stadium into victories, while also navigating the complexities of a league where officiating can sometimes steal the spotlight.