Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. CAPS UNITED…… (0)0
DYNAMOS……… (0)1
STRIKER Jaison Kasondo became the latest big Harare derby hero after he scored the solitary goal which gave Dynamos victory over city rivals Caps United at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
With a capacity crowd providing a brilliant backdrop to a tense and crucial encounter between relegation-threatened giants, the match lived to its billing.
It was Dynamos who ultimately claimed the bragging rights and vital three points, courtesy of a second-half header from Kasondo.
The win sees DeMbare make a crucial leap up the log, moving two places to 15th with 32 points from 29 matches.
They now sit level on points with their rivals, Caps United, who remain 14th due to a superior goal difference, meaning the relegation dogfight intensified dramatically with this result.
The opening exchanges were dominated by Caps United, but it was Dynamos who produced the first moment of genuine quality on goal.
Kasondo forced a stinging save from CAPS goalkeeper Stephen Kwaku halfway through the first half.
Moments later, the intensity ramped up as Dynamos goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa produced a stunning fingertip save to deny Kundai Benyu’s free-kick, which was destined for the top corner.
Kasondo, despite his earlier attempt, then failed to direct his effort onto goal from close range soon after the half-hour mark following a brilliant square ball from captain Emmanuel Jalai.
Caps finished the half strong, but could not break the deadlock, leaving the Derby finely balanced at the break.
Dynamos started the second half with renewed vigour, and their brighter start paid immediate dividends just nine minutes after the restart.
From an Abel Gwatidzo corner-kick, Jason Kasondo rose highest to unleash a bullet header, giving goalkeeper Kwaku absolutely no chance.
The goal ignited the Dynamos faithful and proved to be the decisive moment of the match.
Caps United pushed hard for an equaliser, but the DeMbare defence held firm, weathering the storm and securing the vital 1-0 win and the precious derby bragging rights.
Dynamos coach Kelvin Kaindu acknowledged the difficulty of the contest, but praised his team’s effort.
“Yeah, difficult game, but credit goes to the team for maximum effort that we put in,” he said.
“With a bit of luck, I think we looked far much better in the first half where we created those three chances… but we managed to score from a set-piece.
“This victory pushes us away again a bit from the relegation and also closer to the other teams that are on top of us.”
Disappointed, Caps United coach Ian Bakala lamented his side’s inability to convert chances.
“I think we need to play by scoring goals, which I think we need to do,” he said.
“Looking at the game, we missed a lot of chances, like you are saying.
“Games like this, chances are important. We should take respect for the chances.
“They only go to the corner and score goals. I think we just have to do much better than this.”
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