BULAWAYO - The cruel side of football came to the fore yesterday at Barbourfields Stadium when outstanding How Mine defender Brighton Dube scored a late own goal to gift Dynamos a 1-0 win and maximum points in a pulsating Castle Premiership encounter.
Dube had prior to the own goal been a front runner for the man-of -the match accolade after putting up a polished performance at left-back.
TUSSLE: How Mine midfielder Xolisani Moyo, left, shields the ball away from Stephen Alimenda of Dynamos yesterday.
All the good work that the former Highlanders, FC Platinum and Chicken Inn player had put in was undone when his attempted clearance of a Washington Pakamisa attempt found his own net with two minutes left on the clock.
Interestingly, the goal came moments after referee Philan Ncube had ignored an incident that could have handed the hosts the advantage when the visitors' defender Augustine Mbara tripped How Mine right-back Morris Kadzola inside the Dynamos penalty box.
Chikurupati assistant coach Isheunesu Chaka, however, chose not to cry foul over the incident and instead, blamed poor finishing for his team's defeat.
"It does not change anything even if we cry. We played well and created a lot of chances but unfortunately we failed to utilise them and we have to regroup and focus on our next match," Chaka said.
Dynamos head coach Calisto Pasuwa, on the other hand, admitted that victory had not been easy for his side.
"We knew that this was going to be tough match because these are two teams that were involved in African competition and our fitness levels are at par.
"They had their chances and we also had ours and fortunately for us we managed to convert one of ours," Pasuwa said.
The final result was cruel on the goldminers as the entire match was an evenly balanced affair with both teams giving as much as they were getting.
How Mine had the clearer chances though with the best chance of the day falling for Thembani Masuku just before the half hour mark but the left footed linkman shot wide with Dynamos keeper George Chigova at his mercy.
And as both teams continued to trade blows in the second half the match was spiced up by some good goalkeeping by Zimbabwe internationals Chigova and his opposite number Donovan Bernard.
Aces Youth Academy product Bernard did not only make some crucial blocks but at one point displayed amazing confidence levels when he coolly dribbled past Dynamos forward Patrick Kumbula when it was safer just to lob the ball to safety.
Not to be outdone, Chigova denied How Mine forward Kudakwashe Musharu from point blank range on 77 minutes when he rushed off his line to block the striker's effort for a corner following a quick counter attacking move by the gold miners.
The only blight on the match was the injury to Bernard after he was hit on the face by an object thrown by Dynamos fans seated at the Mpilo end.
Bernard was attacked after the half time whistle had gone and he appeared to be smearing something on the goal posts.
Teams
How Mine: Donovan Bernard, Morris Kadzola, Gilbert Banda, Brighton Dube, Nyasha Mukumbi, Mernard Mupera, Thembani Masuku, Xolisani Moyo, James Chitereki (Heritein Masuku, 72m), Kuda Musharu, Godfrey Nguwodzawo (Benjamin Marere, 51m).
Dynamos: George Chigova, Thomas Magorimbo, Augustine Mbara, Themba Ndlovu, Sydney Linyama, Walter Mukanga (Devon Chafa, 61m), Steven Alimenda, Oscar Machapa, Ronald Chitiyo (Cliff Sekete, 74 m), Simba Sithole, Patrick Khumbula (Washington Pakamisa, 74m).