Harare — Dynamos...................................................(0) 1

Buymore...................................................(0) 1

CRISIS-RIDDEN Dynamos turned up for work very late yesterday - the result of another round of in-house problems - but then quickly put all that behind them to produce one of their best performance this season.

The match was delayed for about 15 minutes after Dynamos only arrived at Rufaro at exactly 3pm - the scheduled starting time of this tie that was being beamed live on national television.

Dynamos players have been caught up in a vicious boardroom battle that culminated in the suspension of treasurer Austin Chipfiko last week.

The DeMbare players had resolved to boycott yesterday's match but only turned up at Rufaro after being persuaded by a number of their officials.

And when gangly defender Sebastian Matende - one of the better players in the top-flight league this season - headed Buymore into the lead with just 12 minutes remaining on the clock, Dynamos appeared heading for another defeat.

But to their credit they fought back, pushed on by their loyal supporters, and were rewarded for their effort with captain Nyasha Chazika, an inspiration all afternoon, powerfully heading home the goal that gave them a deserved point.

The equaliser set the stage for one of the best slugging matches one will ever see in the Premiership as both sides threw caution to the wind in search of a winner and there were chances for both sides to get all points.

In the end a draw was the fairest result in a match in which Buymore fielded three former Dynamos sons - goalkeeper Gift Muzadzi, captain James Matola and midfielder Francis Chandida.

But there was a time before the game started when hope appeared lost that DeMbare would show up for the contest.

Dynamos players did appear for a pre-match warm-up session.

The clock struck three o'clock, but still no Dynamos players had showed up with only coach Laban Kandi sitting on the bench while the rumour mill in the terraces was in full swing saying that the players had boycotted the tie.

Then there was the story about the Dynamos team bus breaking down on its way to the stadium.

Then, at long last, the Dynamos players arrived at Rufaro.

There was another new addition on their bench with former midfield star Elvis "Chuchu" Chiweshe getting a place on the coaches' bench alongside Kandi.

Director of coaching Sunday Chidzambwa was again not on the bench.

Straight from kick-off Buymore midfielder Francis Chandida nearly surprised his former club when his ambitious long shot from the centre circle was pushed for a corner kick by Dynamos goalkeeper Phillip Nhete.

Dynamos were missing Sandras Kumwenda and Sifiso Nketa from the team that beat Black Rhinos two weeks ago while reserve goalkeeper Tendai Tanyanyiwa was replaced by unheralded Malvern Wurayayi on the bench.

But they had an inspired Mtshumayeli Moyo, easily the best player on view, and he gave the fans an afternoon to remember with one of the best individual shows we have seen in recent years.

Moyo ran the show and created chances for Tonderayi Ndiraya, playing as an outright striker, Givemore Manuela, Clive Mwale and Norman Maroto.

But for all their dominance Dynamos just could not get the breakthrough.

And again Matola was outstanding in defence.

Buymore had their moments with Chandida trying very hard to make his former paymasters pay back for frustrating him out of DeMbare.

But it was Dynamos who were having the lion's share with Ndiraya cracking a ferocious grounder from the edge of the box despite the close attention of Buymore centre back Richard Khola in the 31st minute. Muzadzi saved the shot but the veteran goalkeeper had to call for medical attention before Matende picked a yellow card for pulling down Manuela in the 35th minute.

The inform Moyo continued to shine when he beat Edwin Tinarwo by a classic lob which sent Dynamos supporters wild and then sent Manuela who charged at goal but had Matola thwarting him in his tracks inside the box.

Dynamos survived a scare in the 39th minute when Nhete spilled a shot by Daniel Chabika but recollected the ball before Dylan Chiroodza had closed in.

Chandida was to bring the best out of Nhete when his powerful left footer saw the goalkeeper stretching to push the ball for a corner kick in the 44th minute.

Dynamos appeared to have taken their foot off the pedal in the second half and allowed Buymore to venture into their territory.

Chandida saw his shot blocked by Fidelis Mangezi in the 53rd minute before Dynamos wingback Elias Makako worked his way into the box and sliced a cross which found no takers.

It was the best chance for Dynamos to take the lead but the ball trickled away and Buymore were to boot it for striker Godfrey Jiri who shot wide with just Nhete to beat in the 58th minute.

Dynamos did find the net in the 60th minute when Manuela delivered to Maroto whose attempt was blocked by Muzadzi and they both went down with Mwale drilling the ball home.

Referee Godfrey Gomwe - brilliant all afternoon - appeared to signal a goal and this sent the Dynamos fans into a frenzy.

But after the madness had died down and Muzadzi was back at his feet the referee rightly gave the goalkeeper the benefit of doubt and Buymore got their free-kick.

Maybe Gomwe's only blemish came in the 68th minute when Dynamos defender Fidelis Man-gezi appeared to handle inside his box.

But Buymore's pleas for a penalty were turn-ed down.

Buymore got their goal when they won a free-kick on the left and Chiroodza's delivery saw Matenda rising high to nod the ball home.

It was a goal that could have destroyed the energy of any side and was crafted in similar fashion to the one which floored Highlanders two weeks ago at Gwanzura.

Muzadzi was now doing his antics, throwing the ball against the crossbar and Nkata side stepping Makako to shot wide in the 80th minute as Buymore enjoyed their place in the sun.

But four minutes later it was all square.

Prince Mbara went on a fine on the left and Matola pushed the ball for a corner kick, which Mwale delivered and Chazika powerfully headed home. Buymore coach Max Moyo was happy with the point.

"We failed to defend after taking the lead and that is how football goes. But I am happy with the point we gained and it was quite a balanced game.

"So I am comfortable with the result," said Moyo.

Kandi refused to comment on the match but midfielder Moyo said he was a happy man.

"We played very well and created a lot of chances but failed to score," said Moyo.

Teams

Dynamos: P. Nhete, E, Makako, F. Mangezi, N. Chazika, T. Gweshe, N. Muchekela, M. Moyo, G. Manuela, C. Mwale, T. Ndiraya (B. Benesi 85th minute), N. Maroto (P. Mbara 73rd minute)

Buymore: G. Muzadzi, W. Mapfumo, D. Chabika, R. Khola, S. Matende, J. Matola, F. Chandida (C. Samakwere 85th minute), E. Tinarwo, D. Chiroodza, G. Jiri (K. Nkhata 65th minute), M. Moyo