Dynamos  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

THE result at the end of the day was not that important as giants Dynamos and Highlanders shared the spoils in the goalless draw at Rufaro yesterday.

The biggest question at the weekend was, is the Battle of Zimbabwe still the biggest game on the land given the hype created by new newboys MWOS and Scottland in a sold-out top-of-the-table clash in Norton the previous day? The jury is still out.

But coming on the backdrop of poor outings by the giants this season and in-house problems in the DeMbare camp, the Battle of Zimbabwe could not quite bring the country to a standstill as is historically the case.

Of course there was a sizeable crowd at Rufaro yesterday despite the call to boycott the match by sections of Dynamos supporters. The stadium started filling up as the game progressed, yet this was not the best crowd judging by the standards of the fixture.

However, Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu is one of the several people who believe the clash between the country’s two biggest teams cannot be outmoded despite losing some of its gloss. The Bosso coach, although impressed by his team’s performance yesterday, was concerned by the form of the two giants who are struggling to steer clear of the bottom half of the table after 14 games.

“I think it still remains the big game here,” said Kaindu after the goalless draw.

“Of course, if you look at the positions where both teams are, I think in the past it has never been like this. “I remember last time that we were here, I think in 2012-2013, it was always Highlanders and Dynamos. Both teams were doing very well and I think the excitement would also come from the fans.

“But us being in the ninth position and Dynamos also down there, that vibe probably is missing. But with the way that we saw this game, I think there is still something at stake for both teams to fight for,” said Kaindu.

The Zambian coach chose to focus more on the positives after Highlanders yesterday halted a run of two consecutive defeats.

The Bulawayo giants put up a decent showing with Andrew Mbeba, Mason Mushore and Mafious Chihweta playing an important role before joining the two national teams selected by ZIFA for this week’s international friendly matches in Morocco as well as the COSAFA Cup.

For most of the afternoon, it was an evenly balanced affair. Dynamos had the early chances, with Brandon Jerimani forcing goalkeeper Raphael Pitisi to leave his area and punch away a dangerous cross into the box in the first half hour. At the other end of the goal, Dynamos goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa made a brilliant save denying Reason Sibanda a point-blank header after 23 minutes.

Then Dynamos skipper Emmanuel Jalai, who was outstanding for the hosts, made a timely slide to stop Brighton Ncube as the game inched towards the half-time break.

Jalai had good company in Temptation Chiwunga, Shadreck Nyahwa, Jerimani, Tellmore Pio and Frank Agyemang, but the Glamour Boys could not break the win-less run, now spanning 10 games.

This is probably one of their longest barren run in the league and the Dynamos supporters are not enjoying the way the season is unfolding. Moments into the second half, disgruntled DeMbare supporters started signalling their technical bench they wanted a substitution to re-energise their team as Bosso took advantage of the exhaustion evident in the DeMbare camp. In the meantime, skipper Jalai appeared struggling with the blow to his teeth he suffered early in the second half.

Ghanaian forward Agyemang had the opportunity to kill off the game late on but after controlling well with his chest, the forward appeared to have little energy left in him as he shot weakly at the goalkeeper on the turn.

Dynamos remained third from the bottom on the log standings with 10 points.

Coach Saul Chaminuka, who inherited a struggling team from Lloyd Chigowe recently, is still looking for his first win after drawing two games and losing once.

Cumulatively, DeMbare have not won a game in their last 10 outings.

“We have only played three games since I arrived and if we were to play like a team that has dropped from heaven, people would wonder and say, so what was happening? So, it is a work in progress and we will get there.

“We as a team, players, and technical staff are working, and we are aware of what our shortcomings are and it is what we are working on, but it cannot just happen just like that and I am saying our fans must be patient.

“That time will come when we can play and win games that are exciting to watch,” said Chaminuka.

Teams:

Dynamos: Prince Tafiremutsa, Emmanuel Jalai, Nomore Chinyerere, Clive Mandivei, Abel Gwatidzo, Shadreck Nyahwa, Tellmore Pio, Brandon Jerimani (A. Mandinyenya, 68th min), Enasio Perezo, Temptation Chiwunga, Frank Agyemang

Highlanders: Raphael Pitisi, Andrew Mbeba, Talent Dube, Arthur Ndlovu, Marlven Hativagone, Melikhaya Ncube, Reason Sibanda, Prince Ndlovu (H. Ncube, 68th min), Mason Mushore, Mafious Chihweta, Brighton Ncube (N. Rauzhi, 63rd min)