DYNAMOS fans did not know who to blame on Sunday, coach Herbert Maruwa, midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa whose hard tackles seemed to be from a man intent on not playing against Highlanders, or their strike force fronted by yet-to-score Eli Ilunga and later Jayden Bakare.
By Bhora Afrika
The Harare giants, whose title hopes are fading by the day played out a third 0-0 draw against Manica Diamonds.
They have played no less than 270 minutes with no goal and there seems to be no site of change if Bakare and Ilunga’s display is anything to go by.
Bakare missed a sitter upon introduction, a simple tap in that infuriated DeMbare’s impatient and easily angered Vietnam Stand. A pinpoint pass had been threaded through by live wire Issa Sadiki after a neat series of one-two passes with captain of the day Emmanuel Jalai.
Ilunga shot at goal, but his shots were just as bad as his day was going.
Donald Dzvinyai, standing in for captain Frank Makarati, gave a good account of himself.
“Havagone vapfana ava (These boys are not good at all). We can only blame the coach up to a certain extent but some of this boils down to them as players,” said one of the fans who chose to be identified as Mupostori.
“We hyped them up too much before they had achieved anything, and now this is the squad we expect to beat Highlanders at BF.”
Dynamos signed Bakare, Ilunga and Nyasha Chintuli; three of last season’s big hitters of the net with hope they could solve their problem upfront. Only Bakare has managed to score so far.
As fans trickled out of the National Sports Stadium, livid and at pains to imagine their top-billing clash against Highlanders, Maruwa celebrated his team’s performance.
He could probably be one of the few not fazed by Dynamos’ lack of goals.
“We played very well only that we missed a lot of chances. We are not worried with the way we are playing, only that we are not scoring,” said Maruwa.
“I think it was a good game from both teams. Manica Diamonds came here to play good football. We also played very well save for the fact that we didn’t score.
“The guys need to play well and be composed in front of goal. But if they keep on missing the way they are doing, I think it doesn’t do well to their confidence.”
Dynamos face a Highlanders squad equally breathing hot and cold on Thursday in what some hope will not end in a similar 0-0 draw.