Marere brace revives Dynamos hopes
by Simba Mushati 06 December 2010, 10:01
Dynamos emerged from the weekend in a strong position to win the 2010 Premier Soccer League title after a 3-1 victory over relegation candidates FC Victoria at Mucheke on Sunday.
Striker Benjamin Marere was the hero for Dynamos with a brace, but it was Highlanders who did their bitter rivals a huge favour by holding log leaders Motor Action to a goalless draw in Harare.
Sunday’s results mean Dynamos and Motor Action are now tied on 60 points from 28 games with two matches to play.
Motor Action however remain on top cutesy of a superior goal difference.
Dynamos had gone into their match on the back of a poor run that had seen them register only one victory in five matches.
Coach Elvis Chiweshe was under pressure from the start and events appeared to veer off script again as Patrick Changara scored for FC Victoria after 36 minutes to cancel out Marere’s 4th minute opener.
But midfielder Nicholas Alfandika restored Dynamos’ lead just after the break and Marere completed his brace soon after to seal all three points for the 2007 champions.
Yet a victory alone would not have been enough for Dynamos had Motor Action collected maximum points against Highlanders in the corresponding fixture.
But it proved difficult a task for Joey Antipas’ charges, and it helped little that they were without the services of regular goal-scorer Alan Gahadzikwa and defender Sam Mutenheri through suspension.
Highlanders had gone into the match with their tails up after nine consecutive league victories and they looked the hungrier side for the three points, dominating proceedings from the off.
"It was a tough game and both teams fought their hearts out. We wanted maximum points from this match, unfortunately, it ended in a draw.
"This is all part of football and we shall continue fighting. We are still on
top and we have equal chances of winning, although we have now made it difficult
for ourselves," said Motor Action mentor Antipas.
The Mighty Bulls face another difficult hurdle on Wednesday when they come
against vastly improved CAPS United. Their last match is against Lengthens.
Dynamos on the other hand play third from Bottom Douglas Warriors on the same
day before they complete their programme with a somewhat tricky clash with Black
Mambas, who themselves are not safe from relegation either.
Results
Sunday
FC Victoria 1 Dynamos 3
Eagles 1 CAPS United 4
Kiglon 2 Gunners 0
Saturday
Monomotapa 1 Hwange 2
Shooting Stars 3 Shabanie Mine 1
Douglas Warriors 1 Black Mambas 1
Bantu Rover 1 Lengthens 1
